For Me? – Epilogue

When I last reported on my quest for $2,000,000, I’d offered my buddy, Antonio, some lobster in lieu of cash. I really didn’t expect him to take me seriously after that. But he did.

Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 16:51:38 +0000
From: assimoes13@yahoo.com
Subject: Dear Esteemed Customer: Al Las
To: fakealias@hotmail.com

HSBC HOLDINGS BANK
24HOURS ONLINE-BANKING SERVICE
Registered in England.
Registered No: 1026167Q
Registered Office:
Canada Square LONDON, ENG E14 5HQ United Kingdom

Dear Esteemed Customer: Al Las,

Obliged to your email, sir you should understand that the fee requested for the PERSONAL ACCOUNT OPENNING  is $670 USD once this is received from you by our account officer, we will immediately start the processing of your account and submit your login details to you with immediate effect.

On receipt of the information, you shall be educated on the process mastered to facilitate this transaction in the earliest. For more info please call +(44) 702-4071-228

Thank you for your patronage.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE SUPERVISOR
MR. ANTONIO SIMOES
+(44) 702-4071-228
+(44) 741-8378-178
Hsbc Bank Plc
Registered in England.
Registered No: 1026167Q
Registered Office:Canada Square LONDON, ENG E14 5HQ United Kingdom.

***********************************WARNING***************
This message was sent from the Accounts Department of Hsbc Bank Plc. It is only designated for intended recipient only.If you have received this email in error you should immediately discard it without transferring or storing any of it’s content.
Anyone caught not abiding with these rules will be made to face the law as all communications are officially meant for Hsbc Bank Plc customers only.
************************************************************

---

From: Al Ias <fakealias@hotmail.com>
To: Antonio Simoes <assimoes13@yahoo.com>
Sent: Saturday, 25 January 2014, 17:59
Subject: RE: Dear Esteemed Customer: Al Las

My Lovely Antonio Simoes,

Gee whiz…you don’t even want to consider the offer of the lobster? Ok, I should be able to get the money together by tomorrow. My mom has a bunch hidden in her freezer and, with her advancing dementia, I doubt she remembers it’s there. I’ll just say I’m taking a roast out for dinner.

As I mentioned, I tried to call you at the number provided, but it wouldn’t go through. Skype kept saying “You can’t call that number”. I tried the other number and no one answered. This makes me just a little wary of sending you money. Can you, perhaps, send me a picture that proves you’re with HSBC? Maybe a picture of you in front of the bank with a sign that says ” Hi Al!”? After all, I sent Mr. McCullar a photo of my passport and it occurs to me that you haven’t proven your identity.

Please forward this photo at the earliest opportunity and I should be able to email you the money tomorrow. Also, please confirm the email address to which I should send it.

Kisses,

Al Ias

Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 20:00:59 +0000
From: assimoes13@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Dear Esteemed Customer: Al Las
To: fakealias@hotmail.com

Dear Esteemed Customer: Al Las,

Due to the recent online internet fraud going on around the world, we were instructed not to dispose any of these info you are asking sir. And also for your information Mr Jim has contacted us again now stating that we must carry out every neccessary activities concerning your transfer. That is to say that we must execute your funds into your bank account immediately you have effect the payment for the account activation asap.

Do revert back to me now, to enable me furnish you the payment details immediately.

On receipt of the information, you shall be educated on the process mastered to facilitate this transaction in the earliest. For more info please call +(44) 702-4071-228

Thank you for your patronage.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE SUPERVISOR
MR. ANTONIO SIMOES
+(44) 702-4071-228
+(44) 741-8378-178
Hsbc Bank Plc
Registered in England.
Registered No: 1026167Q
Registered Office:Canada Square LONDON, ENG E14 5HQ United Kingdom.

---

From: Al Ias <fakealias@hotmail.com >
To: Antonio Simoes <assimoes13@yahoo.com >
Sent: Sunday, 26 January 2014, 16:10
Subject: RE: Dear Esteemed Customer: Al Las

Dear Dismissive Antonio Simoes,

I gotta tell ya, Tony, I’m a little upset with the way you’re not really addressing any issues I bring up in my emails. I mean, gee whiz, I’m about to have $2,000,000 deposited into your bank. I’d think you want to provide a little more personal touch in dealing with a soon-to-be very wealthy customer!

I certainly didn’t ask you to dispose of these info. I just want you to provide me with some evidence that you are who you say you are. One measly picture is all I ask. I’ve already told you I’d send you the $670 (thanks, Mom!) to open an account and just asked you to confirm the email to which I should send it. I also told you that Skype wouldn’t let me call your number…so why are you asking me to call it again? It’s almost like you’re not really paying attention to my needs. This makes me sad. Is it because I’m Canadian? I thought everyone liked us.

So, I’m reverting back to you now. Please give me the information I need to send you the money! I want my $2,000,00! If these endless delays cause me to lose my chance at this money and, with it, my dream of starting a jazz bagpipe school, I shall hold you personally responsible!

How do I send you the $670 to move this along? It’s beginning to seem like you think my money isn’t good enough for you. I am deeply offended.

With growing impatience,

Al Ias

---

Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 17:08:10 +0000
From: assimoes13@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: ACCOUNT OPENNING FEE PAYMENT PROCEDURE‏‏‏‏
To: fakealias@hotmail.com
Dear Valued Customer: Al Las,

Thanks for getting back to us, Without much ado, you are to be notified on brief that the services we are to render to you are in accordance with the WORLD BANK. You must be fully aware that you are to read carefully to your understanding.

The PERSONAL ACCOUNT OPENNING (P.A.O) is to be paid before we can activate an account for you, before you will be able to transfer your sum funds into your domestic bank account in your country CANADA. Because your $2,000.000.000 USD is covered with an insurance cover separately BONDED, NON- DIVISIBLE, NON -NEGOTIABLE, that is why we cannot be allowed to make any deductions from it. It is also separately authenticated and cannot be deducted until it is fully transferred to you to avoid terrorism.

Be assured that in line with our principles of efficiency, transparency and customer satisfaction, we will handle all transfer operations with the highest level of professionalism and discretion to ensure you receive your $2,000.000.00 USD within the shortest possible time. You will only have to follow instructions as stated above and accordingly as all procedures are meant to protect clients and to avoid cases of misappropriation and mishandling of your fund.

ACCOUNT OPENNING FEE PAYMENT PROCEDURE

After reading this message, and know how much you are to pay to enable us activate an account with your details you have provided, you are to go straight to any ‘WESTERN UNION OR MONEY GRAM’ close to you and effect the payment of $670.00 USD to enable us activate the account in the next 2hours.

Here is the information you are to go with to Western Union or Money Gram and effect the payment.

RECEIVER’S NAME :Mrs. Teresa Peralez 

RECEIVER’S ADDRESS :Clovis, New Mexico 

RECEIVER’S COUNTRY:USA

After you have made the payment for the PERSONAL ACCOUNT ACTIVATION, Western Union/Money Gram will issue you the payment slip and you are required to send us the below information from the payment slip to this office for confirmation.

 SENDER NAME: 

SENDER ADDRESS:

MTCN/REF NUMBER:

AMOUNT SENT:

As soon as your PERSONAL ACCOUNT ACTIVATION FEE is been confirmed by our account officer here in ENGLAND, we shall Commence with the openning of the account to enable you transfer your funds without any form of delay. Have it in mind that your $2,000.000.00 USD will get to you without any delay, we the HSBC BANK have faith and confident, so we shall abide to the rules of our services.

 Thank you for your patronage.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE SUPERVISOR
MR. ANTONIO SIMOES
+(44) 702-4071-228
+(44) 741-8378-178
Hsbc Bank Plc
Registered in England.
Registered No: 1026167Q
Registered Office:Canada Square LONDON, ENG E14 5HQ United Kingdom.

---

From: Al Ias <fakealias@hotmail.com>
To: Antonio Simoes <assimoes13@yahoo.com >
Sent: Monday, 27 January 2014, 3:36
Subject: RE: ACCOUNT OPENNING FEE PAYMENT PROCEDURE‏‏‏‏

Whoa! Hold one there buckaroo!

My beloved Jim McCullar told me in an earlier email that I could email the money to you. While I’m no IT genius like Clyde Barrow, I have heard that banks use email transfers now and that the word “opening” has only one N.

Why would I be sending this money to a Teresa Peralez in New Mexico? I mean, I’m sure she’s a nice woman and all but aren’t you guys in London, England? I’m pretty sure that ain’t in New Mexico. You’re making me nervous, dude.

Look, Andy, I’m willing to email you the money because I trust email. Please just tell me the email address I need to send it to.

Don’t screw this up for me, Artemus. My cousin, Ophelia, is a shaman of Santeria…she’s offered to curse anyone who gets in between me and my $2,000,000…and you don’t want to be her target, believe me.

Send me that email address!

Al

PS. Once you’ve looked at this symbol, Ophelia knows where you are…

Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 09:57:15 +0000
From: assimoes13@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Proceed.
To: fakealias@hotmail.com

Hello Al, once you have make the payment, you are to send it to this email address) to enable the bank account receiving officer confirm your payment before we can start the processing of your account.

Meanwhile you should understand that Mrs Teresa Peralez is currently in the new mexico, USA for a huge sum transaction, so once you have effect the payment, she will be able to confirm it and quickly alert our office to commence on your service

Do proceed with the payment and get back to this email (hs.bcdeptremittance@manager.in.th) with the payment details from the slip.

Sincerely,

Mr.Antonio Simoes.

---

From: Al Ias <fakealias@hotmail.com>
To: hs.bcdeptremittance@manager.in.th; hs.bcdeptremittance@manager.in.th
Cc: assimoes13@yahoo.com <assimoes13@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, 27 January 2014, 17:57
Subject:RE: Proceed.

Hi There,

Is this Teresa? My dearly beloved, Arthur Simoes,  asked that I send my deposit for opening a Personal Account to you. How’s New Mexico? Is it very different from Old Mexico? I hope you brought a sombrero!

I’ve never emailed money before so I hope I got this right. Please find enclosed $680. The fee was supposed to be $670 so please email back my $10 change.

Ain’t technology grand?!

When can I expect the $2,000,000 to be deposited in my account?

Regards,

Al Ias

---

Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 17:09:35 +0000
From: assimoes13@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Proceed.
To: fakealias@hotmail.com

Hello Al, you should understand that you are to take the money to the western union or money gram to make the payment to the details givn to you and get back to us with the payment information from the slip that was given to you from the western union or money gram outlet.

Regard’s

Antonio Simoes

---

From: Al Ias <fakealias@hotmail.com >;
To: Antonio Simoes <assimoes13@yahoo.com >;
Subject: RE: Proceed.
Sent: Mon, Jan 27, 2014 5:21:56 PM

Hello Asterix,

I told you I didn’t trust money grams or western union. And, anyway, you now have my money. Please deposit it in my newly opened account forthwith!

Al

---

Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 18:17:20 +0000
From: assimoes13@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: Proceed.
To: fakealias@hotmail.com
Hello al, you should understand we cannot receive the money this way that you have sent it, you have to locate any western union or money gram that’s the only way we can receive it.

Sent from Yahoo! Mail for iPhone

---

From: fakealias@hotmail.com
To:assimoes13@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: Proceed.
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 22:14:09 -0400

Dear Annette,

Fine. I guess I have no choice then if I want to get my $2,000,000. Just send the money back and I’ll take it to Western Union.

Al

---

> From: postmaster@mail.hotmail.com
> To: fakealias@hotmail.com
> Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 18:14:36 -0800
> Subject: Delivery Status Notification (Failure)
>
> This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification.
>
> Delivery to the following recipients failed.
>
> assimoes13@yahoo.com

---

From: fakealias@hotmail.com
To: hs.bcdeptremittance@manager.in.th
Subject: FW: Proceed.
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 22:28:52 -0400

Teresa!

I’m  very worried about my dear Antonio Simoes! I just answered the email below and it came back as undeliverable. I hope nothing untoward has happened to him!

I’m even more worried about the $680 I sent him! He said he could accept it by email so I asked him to return it so I could send it by Western Union. Can you send my money back so I can wire it too you?

Al

---

Alas, Teresa never answered my email. I’d hoped to string them along a little further with a fake Western Union receipt and further Santeria curses.

I’ve never had much sympathy for people who get taken in by these guys and this experience didn’t nothing to change my mind on that score. The people behind these schemes are obviously quite dim bulbs. If you can be conned by a guy that accepts a passport featuring circa 1978 Burt Reynolds and doesn’t realize Al Ias might be a fake name, you’re either too greedy or too gullible to be left unsupervised.