How to make money from online scam artists Ever get one of those "Excellent Opportunity!!!!" emails from an alleged Nigerian government official offering millions of bucks? Me neither, actually. But last year, Rich Siegel, then a group creative director at Young & Rubicam Brands, decided, as the saying goes, to follow the money (and he even left Y&R to do so). The result is Tuesdays with Mantu, a Borders book (available on Amazon.com), that cannily reprints (along with all the amazingly formal yet bogus documentation) Siegel’s actual (hilarious, insane, and at times, cruel) seven month-long e-mail relationship with one Mr. Ibrahim Mantu. Of course, the man deserves all he gets for offering more than $10 million (from a previous military regime) to Siegel, no strings attached. All Siegel had to do was assist in the transfer of the funds to the United States. Determined to turn the tables on these Internet crooks, Siegel set up a fake e-mail account in the name of Richard Gosinya, and in the course of the exchange, heard not only from Mantu (a doctor/CPA/petroleum executive who aspires to elected office) but also from one Tajudeen Datti, who has a thing for Celine Dion, Barrister Thankgod Emeka Eze, and the lovelorn Mariam Abacha (widow of distinguished African General Sani Abacha.) It’s all in the book, which reads like a cross between Monty Python and the letters of Don Novello, Nigerian pidgin English version. And by the ending, lest you think Siegel gets kind of vitriolic, the author is generously offering half of all book royalties to his Web of Nigerian email pals. All they need to do is apply for an American visa and meet him at 419 Tinkerbell Lane, Fantasyland, Disneyworld, USA. —Posted by Barbara Lippert

February 28, 2005 in Lippert | Permalink

Comments

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Nice. Thanks for the tip, Barbara. I'll have to check this one out. (Am I the only one who knows about this blog?)

Posted by: Smivey | Feb 28, 2005 6:23:16 PM

These guys were asking for it. Here's another fantastic story about someone who actually ended up bilking *them* out of money: http://www.419eater.com/html/joe_eboh.htm

Posted by: Shane | Feb 28, 2005 10:08:49 PM

This sounds hilarious. I have also received email Miriam Abacha. I look forward to checking it out.

Posted by: Search Gal | Mar 1, 2005 12:05:07 AM

Yes, Smivey, you are the only one who reads this blog. The rest of us are merely figments of your disturbed imagination. Seek help immediately.

Posted by: The Late David Ogilvy | Mar 1, 2005 9:25:51 AM

I read the book - while the whole book was really funny, one part literally had me rolling on the floor laughing. I could not pick the book up for sometime without start back to fits of laughter.

There was quite a bit of genius behind this.

Posted by: nordie | Apr 28, 2005 1:44:03 PM

This is a good work,,,, see U

Posted by: Max | Jun 6, 2005 5:50:44 PM

NICE

Posted by: DEBRA ANN SMITH PLAINFIELD IL | Oct 25, 2007 3:57:07 PM

With more people opting to earn money from the comforts of their own homes, you have to be careful as online frauds are scattered around. You need to detect work at home scams, since you might be wasting your effort and time on nothing.

Before joining any money making schemes do research on the company and try to check on how long the company has been in the business.

Do not fall prey on these work at home scams. Keep an eye out for these signs, and if you detect one, report it to the proper authorities right away. You not only need to protect yourself, you need to protect others as well.

Posted by: Supplemental Income Advocate | Nov 16, 2009 4:31:59 PM

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