My Nigerian scammer1

Like everyone else with email,I get my share of "Nigerian scams" .After I received a recent scam email I decided to play along to see if I could scam the scammer. What follows are actual email exchanges between one such scammer and myself.I've copied his emails as is; I've x-ed out my email address on this page for obvious reasons. Otherwise, what you are reading is accurate. This is an on-going series and I'll keep this updated when I receive more emails from this particular scammer.I've also recently changed the format to make it easier to keep track. You can click on the page numbers now.
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From: barr_modestusiba111@263.net
To: barr_modestusiba111@263.263.net
Cc:
Bcc:
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED AND REMAIN BLESSED WITH ALMIGHTY GOD
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 5:17 AM

Modestus IBa Chambers & Towers Building
5/6ROMES ROAD, V/ISLAND
LAGOS, NIGERIA.
QRT: 92018345QUEENSBOULE
PE/IBA/ASSOCIATE CHAMBERS AND MARITIME
CONFIDENTIAL EMAIL ADDRESS barr_modestusiba129@yahoo.com

Goodday Simms,

I am Barrister Modestus IBa (SAN) Solicitor and Notary Public. I am the Personal
Attorney to Late Engr Steve Ac Simms of who is a National of your country, who
used to work with shell Development Company in Nigeria.

On the 21st of April 2000, my client, his wife and their only son where involved
in a car accident along Sagamu/Lagos Express road. Unfortunately, they all lost
their lives in the event of the accident, since then I have made several
enquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives and this has also
proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over
the Internet, to locate any member of his family but to no avail, hence I
contacted you. I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property
left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable
by the bank where these huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the Bank where
the deceased had an account valued at about 12, million dollars.

Consequently, the bank issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the
account confiscated within a short time. Since I have been unsuccessful in
locating the relatives for over some years now, I seek your consent to present
you as the next of kin of the deceased since you share the same surname so that
the proceeds of this account valued at US 12, million dollars can be paid to you
for both of us to share the money; 50% to me and 45% to you, while 5% should be
for expenses or tax as your government may require.

I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up the claim. All
I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through. I
guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will
protect you from any breach of the law.

Please get intouch with me through my email: barr_modestusiba129@yahoo.com to
enable us discuss further.

Yours Faithfully
Modestus Iba (SAN)
[Attorney at law]

From: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: barr_modestusiba129@yahoo.com
Cc:
Bcc:
Subject: millions
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 6:55 PM
I am so glad that you were able to find me.
After I received your email I notified my aunt to is very well up on my family tree.
She informs me that I have ( or had ) a cousin by the name of Steve Simms who did indeed work for Shell.
I am quite sure he is my relation and I am entitled to his estate.Please contact me right away.
Thank you; Robert Simms.

From: barr_modestusiba129@yahoo.com
To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc:
Bcc:
Subject: Thanks and urgent response needed
Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 3:11 AM

From:Modestus Iba(SAN)
Public Notary,Attorney at law & solictors
M.IBA Chambers & Towers Building
1/2 ROVERS ROAD,V/ISLAND
LAGOS,NIGERIA.
QRT:92017145QUEENSBOULE,
Tel 234-803-438-1300

Dear Robert Simms ,
Thank you for the response to my email. i will like to let you know That I do not mean any harm on you, all I am asking is your honest co-oparetion and assitance.
Robert ,I contacted you to help repatriate this fund left behind by the deceased Mr Steve Ac Simms,since I do not want the bank to freeze the account because of the non-appearance of his next of kin.
My main focus is to use my professional position and present you as the next of kin to the deceased and apply that his entitlement be transferred to you through the said legal processes. We shall start by sending a formal application to this effect. I will copy you with the text of the said claim and transfer application to this effect
Thereafter,you send to the bank They will request of you the relevant back up documents to your claim and application according to the demand of our probate law for transfer of inheritance. I am on the stand by to provide you with their requirements from the stock of documents, which is presently with me, Once we have provided the Bank with their demands, they would now be under legal obligation to transfer the funds to your submitted bank account.
In as much as I have assured you that some of the documents of claim are in my position, there are some which will have to be acquired through legal procedures as the application of claim will be complimented with a legal award we shall have to seek from our law Court here. You are not to worry about this,as I will use my professional competence and Influence to acquire all the legal relevant documents of claim.
This transaction will not take us more than 7 banking working days to execute, all I want from you is just to follow my instructions to avoid any mistake in the process. Be assured that the procedures to be adopted in effecting the transfer in your favour will be official and legal which will protect us from any breach of the law now and after the transfer though this transaction requires confidentiality.
Above all, I personally count on the will and blessing of the almighty God to facilitate our plan and understanding, to produce not just success, but also peaceful sharing of the funds at the end of the day and a healthy family business relationship thereafter.I also pray for establishment of cordial relationship between us, God being our helper.

Send to me the following:
your contact address----------------------
your private fax and telephone number-------------------------
your full name------------------------
your occupation-----------------
your age-----------------------
Once I receive this information, I will proceed immedately in filling out the TEXT OF APPLICATION correctly and thenceforth,send to the bank for immediate processing of the funds into the account that you will nominate for this purpose.
Yours Faithfully
Barr Modestus Iba.
Attorney at Law

From: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: barr_modestusiba129@yahoo.com
Cc:
Bcc:
Subject: Re: Thanks and urgent response needed
Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 8:40 AM

Good day,
I am happy that you have replied quickly. However, there are some details which we must first work out before I send you all the information.
As the rightful heir to Mr Steve Simms estate, I feel that your request for such a high percentage to be very unreasonable. I believe that you should only be entitled to 10% of the 12 million.That will leave my rightful share as 90% and I will have my accountant handle the tax payments here.
If you are not in agreement to this arrangement I will see fit to send my own representatives to your country to handle it for me.Then, you will not be entitled to even the 10% I offered.
Thank you, R. Simms

From: xxxxxxxxxxx
To: barr_modestusiba129@yahoo.com
Cc:
Bcc:
Subject: what happened?
Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2006 12:21 PM

It has been more than 48 hours since your last email.I take that to mean that you are NOT interested in my offer of 10%. If I do not hear from you by 11:00 AM Monday (Nigerian time) I will contact my associates in South Africa who will travel to Nigeria on my behave to investigate this matter.Since you contacted me by email I am sure you are aware of who I am. There is no need to tell you that I am CEO of SIMMS INTERNATIONAL. I was willing to offer you a small share because it would be a bit easier for me. BUT, as you HAVE NOT CONTACTED in days I will use my other option.
Take care and GOD BLESS, R.Simms

From: barr_modestusiba129@yahoo.com
To: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc:
Bcc:
Subject: Thanks and urgent response needed
Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2006 12:30 PM

Dear Robert Simms
Thanks for your last mail. I decided to think over your request before I respond to your mail.
I understand your position as the rightful heir to Late Engr Steve Simms estate but you should understand that without my
involvement you can not be able to trace the estate of Late Engr Steve Simms.
With this, I will like us to work as teams to enable us achieve success. Based on your assurance that your accountant will handle the tax payments in your country. I will like you to understand that there will be legal backup documents, which will be secured in the court here such as sworn affidavit in support of the claim and letter of administration from the probate registry, which you will also take care of the fees to secure them.
I have discussed with my colleagues and we have agreed to accept 20% of the 12million as our legal fees and also to ensure we give you our total support to receive your inheritance.
It will be difficult for you to send a lawyer from your country who have no idea of our legal terms to handle your inheritance payment here that will make it highly intensive for you.
I will wait for your detailed information’s to enable me write an application letter to INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC requesting them to process the inheritance of your Late cousin and release the funds to you.
I wait to hear from you.
Thanks
Barrister Modestus Iba