Zombeck.com

So, I got one of those e-mails this morning. You know the kind that looks like it’s from a friend of yours, but it’s some d-bag that got a hold of your friends e-mail or your address book or Facebook friends and sends you a bogus e-mail as if it’s coming from your friend and they’re in jail or in some country and they’re in trouble. Today I decided to respond. Kathy is a Facebook friend and according to this idiot is trapped in London.

Here’s the exchange:

From: Scammer

Hi Kathy,

Just writing to let you know my trip to London, England has been a mess. I was having a great time until last nite when I got mugged and lost all my cash and credit cards, It has been a scary experience, I was hit at the back of my neck with a club. Anyway...... I'm still alive and that's whats important. I'm financially strapped right now and need your help. i need you to loan me some $$, I'll refund it to you as soon as i arrive home.Write me back so i can tell you how to get it to me.

Love.

From: Me

Date: Tuesday, November 2, 2010, 11:44 AM

Oh my - get back to me

From: Scammer

Glad to hear back from you. It has really been embarrassing for me. $1,170 will cover all my expenses, I promise to refund it to you as soon as

I arrive home. You can wire it to my name from a western union outlet around. Here are the details you need to get it to me;

Name – Kathy

Location - 97 waverley rd london se18 7tl

United Kingdom

I still have my passport so I can use it as identification. You'll be given a 10 digit

confirmation number as soon as the transfer goes through, email it to me as soon as you have wired the cash to me

From: Me

Sorry, but I don't quite understand what you're getting at. You say a western union around. Around where? I'm not in England. I just came from the bank and have the money. I plan to send a little more since I know you may need a couple thousand more to get home.

Don't worry I know you'll pay me back. I just hope you're ok.

From: Scammer

Hi Richard,

OK but that the only way you can send me the money or can you do it online at this website westernunion.com.

Immediately i arrive back home i will refund you back the cash.

I owe you a lot.

From: Me

Date: Tuesday, November 2, 2010, 1:37 PM

Yes, but I can’t get to that site from work – they seem to have blocked the site and paypal as well. I’m confused. What exactly happened? I still have several friends in London, where are you. I’ll have someone bring the money to you. It’s about $5,000, so let me know so I can get it to you quickly.

From: Scammer

Hi RICHARD,

whats really going on.....

From: Me

Date: Tuesday, November 2, 2010, 3:12 PM

I’ve talked to my friends in London. Please tell me where you are and I will have them meet you. They have $5,000 for you. All I need is an address. The guy’s name is Simon Bronston. He is about 5ft 5in and 160 pounds. He will be wearing a Yankees baseball hat. Tell me where he should meet you and he’ll hand you the money. He’s a little shy and frightened but willing to do this because you’re a friend.

From: Scammer

Richard i appreciate all what you have been doing, and i promise to refund the money back immediately i get back home.All you need is to  is go to the western union and this are the details..

Glad to hear back from you. It has really been embarrassing for me. $1,170 will cover all my expenses, I promise to refund it to you as soon as

I arrive home. You can wire it to my name from a western union outlet around. Here are the details you need to get it to me;

Name – Kathy

Location - 97 waverley rd london se18 7tl

United Kingdom

I still have my passport so I can use it as identification. You'll be given a 10 digit

confirmation number as soon as the transfer goes through, email it to me as soon as you have wired the cash to me

i  will be waiting to hear from yon soon..

From: Me

Date: Tuesday, November 2, 2010, 3:56 PM

Ah, you’re in luck. He will be at the Porter House Pub in London, on Gowalla at 7 PM tonight. He will have your $5000. I called Western Union and they cannot send more than $2000. So I would have to send it three times from different places and I work until 6PM, so this works out very well for both of us. Kathy, make sure you’re there tonight to meet him.

From: Scammer

Subject: RE: WESTERN UNION DETAILS!!!!

Omg! you can wire the money at any Western Union outlet near to you.You can send me the $2,000 now and then send the remaining later as i have got to settle my bills here.Please get back to me as soon as you can.

From: Me

What kind of bills? Tell me who you owe money to. I'll pay the hotel with a credit card. That's much easier. How lucky. We'll get this sorted out and have you home in no time.

I thought I lost him, so I sent this:

Date: Tuesday, November 2, 2010, 4:59 PM

I think this is getting complicated …. DO YOU WANT MY HELP or not? For someone who needs help you’re being difficult. Where in London are you. I’ll wire the money to a Western Union office close to you.

From: Scammer

Am sorry getting back you late.i still need your help.Here is the Western Union details below.

Here are the details you need to get it to me;

Name – Kathy

Location - 97 waverley rd london se18 7tl

United Kingdom

I still have my passport so I can use it as identification. You'll be given a 10 digit

confirmation number as soon as the transfer goes through, email it to me as soon as you have wired the cash to me.

From: Me

Date: Tuesday, November 2, 2010, 6:03 PM

Great. Send me your passport number and I’ll add it to the money transfer to avoid confusion.

From: Scammer

They don't require passport number at the Western Union outlet.please act fast on this before my flight takes off.

From: Me

Okay, done. I made sure they will only deliver it to you at the airport. I sent them your picture for them to be able to recognize you – good thing you have your passport. It’s amazing they didn’t steal that. You are very lucky.

Here is the correct address, remember you can only pick it up here. I had to pay an extra $50 for them to hold the full $5000 at this office, but that way you don’t have to worry about not making your flight.

T4 LANDSIDE DEPARTURES

ADJACENT TO ZONE E

HEATHROW AIRPORT

HOUNSLOW

GREATER LONDON

TW6 1QG

The number for the transfer is: 277450326

Good luck, have a good trip and call me when you get in.

From: Scammer

Hey, are you kidding me or something,the number is suppose to be 10 not 9 digit.please let me know if you really willing on helping me or you just trying to make a fool out of me.

From: Me

No I’m not making a fool out of you. Are you sure it’s only 9 digits? I’m sure I sent 10. I just typed it while they read it to me over the phone. I’m at a different computer and don’t have access to the email I sent. Can you send me the number so I can add the correct one please. I’m so sorry for this I thought I copied it correctly, but I must have heard the number incorrectly. I’ll try to call back and get the real number.

From: Scammer

Hey,i just got back from the WU outlet and they told me the confirmation number you gave to me was no record to be found i advise you send me the scanned receipt.that should be better.

From Me:

That was fast, did you go to the one at the airport I told you to go to? When is your flight?

I’m not sure what you mean by a “scanned” receipt. I have a receipt from the transaction, but it doesn’t say anything about it being scanned – That was the number they gave me over the phone.

This is a lot of money. What are you doing? Are you still mad because I broke up with you? The crap you pulled in Portugal was nasty you know. I mean I know you were drinking heavily at the time, but it was pretty mean. And now you need help and I’m helping you. $5000 is  a lot of money. And it takes a big chunk out of my account. You think this easy? Are you drinking again?

DAY 2

Yes, seriously there's a day two.

Last night I went to http://www.419eater.com/index.php and downloaded a blank Western Union form they provide for times like these. So the emails continue.

From Me

I don’t know if this is too late … I hope not (attached) wu.pdf

From Spammer:

HI,RICHARD
i was very disappointed when i went to the western union to pick up the money but the money was hold and was not  given the money the only way for you to help me is to call the western union to release the money..

From Me:

Oh My, I can only imagine what a problem that has caused. I’m not sure I understand. How can it be on hold? Was it too much? Do I need to send less? Please give me the number of the office to call where I can clear this up. I’m guessing I have to call the office you’re going to. Please let me know where that is and I’ll call them as soon as possible. Sorry for the troubles. When is your flight?

From Spammer:

HI RICHARD,
It was hold because it was too much and i will like you to reduced it to $2000 and send the remaining later.My flight we tack one hour to this time. please i want you to act fast for me not to miss the flight..

i will be waiting for your reply soon...

From Me:

I’m not sure how to do that. What number do I need to call. You didn’t give me the number. If you’re drinking again I will help you, but you need to get help. Don’t forget to send me the number. I can’t help without that. You have already cost me $5,000 and now it will be another $2,000 – how did you lose that money? Did you get mugged again?

Who do I call to get this to you?

From Spammer:

Am sorry but you have to go the western union and explained that your money has been hold that they should released the money and they should reduced the money to $2000....

please you are the only one i have hope on i did not get mugged.........

please let me know if you are heading to the western union. i appreciate all what you have been doing for me and i promise to pay back all the expenses immediately i arrive home..

From Me:

So you need an additional $2000? That $5000 went really fast. What hotel were you staying in? I will go tonight but I need the address. You have still not told me where I need to go. I need your help. I can't do this alone and every time I go out I have to find someone to watch the cats and call a taxi that can carry my wheel chair. You know I would do anything for you but you have to help me.

From Spammer:

HI
you don't need to stress yourself and am so sorry for what have put you through and  not saying i need another money all am saying is that the $5000 you send was said to be hold and i cannot collect it...you need to go to a western union office nearby and complain about the money that was hold so they could released the money and reduce it to $2000 and send to this detail..

Name -Kathy [last name removed]
Location - 97 waverley rd london se18 7tl
United Kingdom
I still have my passport so I can use it as identification. You'll be given a 10 digit
confirmation number as soon as the transfer goes through, email it to me as soon as you have wired the cash to me...

i will like to hear from you soon if you are heading to the western union office..

From Me:

Okay. I also thought I lost your cell phone number, but I found it. I will call you when I get in the taxi and you can give the driver directions to the WU office. I'm waiting for my sister to come watch the cats. Do you remember Trixie and Mr. Boots?

Day 3

It's getting a little silly at this point. I'm almost starting to feel sorry for the spammer, but then I tell myself that he's the one who started out scamming me. In addition, he also doesn't seem to care that I might be an old handicaped guy with limitted funds.... so, screw him.

From Me:

Darn you Cathy … I drove around for two hours looking for an office that was open. I tried calling you but you don’t answer your phone! Now what? I need to know what to do with this money. It’s almost $7000 now and I’m not sure what to do. I do hope you’re ok. 

From Spammer:

Am very sorry for what happened i was not with my phone.i will like you to go to the western union office and send $2000 then you send the remaining  money later i promise to pay all the money.i don't think am  ok because i have lost my flight now i have to hear from you before i know what to do next.please i promise to pay all the cash as soon as i arrived home.
waiting to hear from you soon... 

From Me:

How did you miss your flight? I sent you $5000… what happened to that? You need to be more responsible with your money. I think I understand what’s going on. I will see about leaving the house again to wire you $2000 and will also call the airline and get you a flight but I’m not sure I can do both I may only be able to pay for the flight.

From Spammer:

HI
when i went to western union to collect the money they told there no money,please i will be grateful if you send the $2000 and forget about the airline i will do that my self immediately you wired the cash to me and promise to pay the total money of $7000...
i will waiting to know if you are heading to the western union office....
i owe you a lot....these are the details you need  to send the money to...

Name -Kathy [last name removed]
Location - 97 waverley rd london se18 7tl
United Kingdom
I still have my passport so I can use it as identification. You'll be given a 10 digit
confirmation number as soon as the transfer goes through, email it to me as soon as you have wired the cash to me... 

Day 4

Holy crap! I can't believe this douche is still hanging on.

From Me:

I have not left yet … it’s hard for me to get out of the house. I’m sorry but you’ll have to be patient.

From Spammer:

ok i appreciate your effort..

From Me:

I wasn’t able to get out today. The Van/Taxi that can take wheel chairs was not available.

Luckily I am able to make phone calls, so I was able to call the airport get you another flight out of London.

I got you a new flight from Heathrow. It is Flight BA1504 on Sunday at 9:50 AM – I can pick you up at the airport and we can work on settling your bills when you get home. I am running out of money as I’ve already sent you $7000, so this ticket is the best I could do for now.

Day 5

This is pretty much where it ends and he gives up. Poor guy, he was so close ....

From Spammer:

Hi Richard.
you did send me a confirmation number.....

From Me:

You don’t need a confirmation number, just your passport – it’s much easier no?

You should also be able to pick up your money.

From Spammer:

HELLO
whats going on have not hear from you?

From Me:

I sent you the flight number .. you have to be on that plane – stop playing games Cathy. I’ve sent you $7000 an a plane ticket back home. I even offered to come pick you up. You must be back in bars and drinking. I don’t what you expect of me. I’ve done everything you ask. I’ve spent almost $8000 on this so far and while that’s not a lot, a cannot squander my family fortune on a wild goose chance.

You must be on that flight.

From Spammer:

thank a lot i appreciate your effort....

Then, on November 29th ... nearly 10 days later:

From Spammer:

hi Richard,
don't you want to help me anymore?

From Me:

Of course. But you don't answer your emails. I sent you several in the the last week.

From Spammer:

Am sorry is just that am freaked up....please i need to get back soon and that could be done if you can help me...these details you need to wired the money to me


I arrive home. You can wire it to my name from a western union outlet around. Here are the details you need to get it to me;
Name -Cathy [removed]
Location - 97 waverley rd london se18 7tl
United Kingdom
I still have my passport so I can use it as identification. You'll be given a 10 digit
confirmation number as soon as the transfer goes through, email it to me as soon as you have wired the cash to me $1,000 will cover all my expenses, I promise to refund it to you as soon as I arrive home
i will be waiting  to hear from you soonest....

From Me:

Your spelling seems to be suffering. If you are drinking again I can't help. I can only imagine where the $5000 went. I can't have you stepping on the cats again. Mr. Boots has never quite recovered. Keep me posted. I am having a hard time reading your emails. Please type bigger.