We met Mrs. Fatima through this desperate letter that found its way to our inbox:

Chapelle Dame du Rosaire Ministry 45W/S Quatre Bornes Avenue, Rose Hill,Mauritius.

Greetings my brothers and sisters,

I am former Mrs. fatima Abass Yankubu , now Mrs Victoria Abass Yankubu, a widow to Late Sheik Abass Yankubu.

I am 71 years old widow; I am now a new Christian convert, suffering from long time cancer of the breast. From all indications, my condition is really deteriorating and is quite obvious that I may not live more than six months,
because the cancer stage has gotten to a very Severe stage.

My late husband and our only son where victims of the september 11 attack at the world trade center(WTC) for which their bodies i have not seen up to date.My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business and wealth. My personal physician told me that I may not live for more than six months and I am so scared about this. So, I now decided to divide part of this wealth, by contributing to the development of charity in Africa, America, Europe and Asian Countries.

This mission, which will no doubt be tasking had made me to recently relocate to Mauritius near indian ocean, where I live presently. I selected you believing that you will use the one for charitable purpose, I am willing to donate the sum of $12.5 Million US Dollars to your Ministry/organisation for the development of charity and also as aids for the less privileged around you.

Please note that, the fund ($12.5million usd) is lying in a Security Company here in the island and the company has branches, therefore my lawyer will file an immediate application for the transfer of the money in the name of your ministry/organisation. Please, do not reply me if you have the intention of using this fund for personal use other than enhancement of charity.

Lastly, I want you/your ministry to be praying for me as regards my entire life and my health because I have come to find out since my spiritual birth lately that wealth acquisition without been charitable in one's
life is vanity upon vanity. I await your urgent reply.
Yours truelly

Mrs.Victoria Abass Yankubu

Time to share tragic stories with Mrs. Yankubu

Mrs. Yankubu,

Please accept my condolences for your loss. I can only imagine what you must be going through, what with losing both your husband and son, not to mention having to contend with the demonic cancer that has hijacked your breasts much in the manner of the terrorists who hijacked the plane that killed your husband and son on that wretched, fateful day. While I do not know what it is like to have one's breasts hijacked firsthand, I do have a vivid imagination.

You may noticed I described September 11th as a 'fateful' day in the paragraph above. Let me tell you now that I do not use a term such as 'fateful' lightly, Mrs. Yankubu, as I strongly believe that fate is a primary, if not THE primary, instrument of the divine. What we refer to as mere fate (a chance meeting that alters the course of one's life, a natural disaster, a quick, flirtatious glance in a Turkish bathhouse), Mrs. Yankubu, is, must be, cannot but be otherwise but the imposition of a superhuman intelligence onto our dull, addled and all-too-human evryday lives. In short, Mrs. Yankubu, I believe I was fated to receive your moving communication, and I further believe we were fated to work together.

Let me explain: not only am I the head of an esteemed charitable and philanthropic organization, but I also lost one dear to my heart in the attack on the WTC. My Filipino manservant of 15 years, Han Ong, also perished on that day. Furthermore, I cannot escape the dreadful knowledge that I am, at least in part, responsible for his demise.

I sent my little yellow friend to the WTC that morning to hand-deliver a check to one of my colleagues. Alas, I was never to see Han Ong again, never to hear his peculiar oriental little laugh as he groomed me for bed and pulled down my covers, never again to fell his tiny (yet strong and supple) fingers working themselves into my flesh in what can only be described as sublime Shiatsu.

Given this, Mrs. Yankubu, I believe we were indeed destined to work together, joined as we are our our mutual loss and devotion to philanthropy.

I assure that your gift of $12.5 million would not be ill-given were you to bestow it upon my organization. If you would like to know more about my organization's daily activities, as well as how your generous donation would be allocated, please let me know in a return email; perhaps we could even arrange for you to make a quick visit to our headquarters.

Please respond to my message with all due haste. Given your deteriorating health, it is clear we have not a minute to waste in this transaction. I sincerely hope we can work together for the betterment of at least one little corner of the world.

Your brother in Christ,

Robert Brendan Hicksman, CEO, E.S.T.H.E.R

Looks like we're in business.

From: Musa Azeez To: Robert Hickam Subject: Best Regards Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 18:12:53 +0100 (BST)

Attn: Mr. Robert Brendan Hickman

Sir,

I am really very happy to do business with you based that you are one of the victim of circumstance which I am facing and also you head one of the charitable organization from your point of explanation.

In fact all that is concerned about my proposal is 100% ever sure and I would not want a situation whereby you cannot handle it seriously by reason of doubts of whatsoever that you may be having in your mind.

To start with this Consignment containing the money US$18,000.000.00 is presently deposited with a Cargoring company in Dubai with certified documents of certificate of ownership which my late husband used to deposite the Consignment with the company.

Now this cargoring company did not actually know that the real content is money because my husband declared the Box as family effect worth US$18m containg valuable as gold/precious stone for a cover up before he was assisinated.

Pleasse I want you to please contact the Director of the Cargoring Company
Mr,James Peters Williams Tel:00971-503-449297.Email:jamespeters@diplomats.com

However I want you to also contact my personal Lawyer barrister Tareq Amin
to also prepare a change of ownership certificate of the said consignment so that you will procceed to Dubai and clear this consignment as quick as possible.
Email:Tareqamin@lawyer.com

Please all you need to do is to furnish us with your particulars such as your full name, home or office address, Telephone/ Fax numbers which will be used to secure all the necessary approval to prove you as the true bonafide beneficiary of the Box.

I hope hearing from you.

Best Regards.
Mrs fatima Rasaq.
C/o Barrister Tareq Amin.

Let's play nice for now.

Ms. Fatima,

Thank you so much for responding to my earlier communication. After I did not receive an immediate response I feared you had been approached by another party with a more attractive proposition. I am so relieved to learn that this is not the case.

I will be happy to call Mr. James Peters Williams and contact Tariq Amin. However, I am uncertain which I should do first: speak with Mr. Williams or write Mr. Amin? Should I write Mr. Amin first, to get the documents out of the way, or is it important that I contact Mr. Peters as quickly as possible to establish an atmosphere or mutual trust and understanding? What should I say to Mr. Williams?

I look forward to becoming the true, bona fide beneficiary of your boc, please write soon.

Robert Brendan Hicksman

Hm. No reply from Barrister Tareq. So we ask Mrs. Fatima what's going on. The reply comes from somebody who may or may not be Mrs. Fatima.

From: Musa Azeez To: rbhickam82@msn.com Subject: Tareq Amin Email Address. Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2003 18:01:15 +0100 (BST)

Attn: Mr, Robert Brendan Hicksman.

Dear sir,

Its quite unfortunate that you were unable to reach the Attorney Barrister Tareq Amin as I have advised you to forward all your complete information to him which will be used to secure all the necessary documentation on your behalf.

However, I am re-confirming once again his email address for you to contact him accordingly.

Email :tareqamin@lawyer.com

Please as you contact him do not hestitate to furnish him with all the requirements to enable him to carry on this project as quick as possible
without any further delay.

Expecting to hear from you soonest

Mrs Fatima Rasaq.
C/o Barrister Tareq Amin

Musa Azees? Who the heck? Better ask who we're dealing with here:

Ms. Fatima.

I have re-sent my query to the lawyer and copied you on the email as well. Hopefully it will go through this time.

Who is Musa Azeez?

Best,

Robert Hicksman

There he is! And isn't he a suspicious cuss?

----- Original Message ----- From: tareq amin Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 2:43 PM To: rbhickam82@msn.com Subject: Urgent.   Attn:Robert Hickam

Dear Sir,

We wish to inform you that we have acknowledged the receipt of your mail as stated accordingly.

To this end kindly furnish us with information regarding your full name/ home or office address as well as your private tel/fax numbers.

Furthermore let me also be furnished with photo copies of pages 1& 2 of your international passport for identification sake and also for the procurement of the stated change of ownership certificate in your name.

You can reach me on Tel:0088-216-333-10430 for more clarification.

Best Regards.

Barrister Tareq Amin.

Well, we gotta send him something...

From: Robert Hickam [mailto:rbhickam82@msn.com] Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 10:48 PM To: tareq amin Subject: Re: Urgent.

Barrister Amin,
 
Attached please find my old passport images, paged 1 and 2, as requested. I'm afraid these images are rather old (my long hair days of the '70s!) but I haven't renewed my passport in some time.  I will, of course, renew it to pick up my impending consignment. 
 
Do you require any additional informaition?
 
Best,
 
Robert Brendan Hicksman

Okay. Time to have some fun.

From: Robert Hickam [mailto:rbhickam82@msn.com] Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 11:12 PM To: Musa Azeez Subject: Re: Tareq Amin Email Address.

Ms. Fatima,
 
I've taken the liberty of informing some of the less fortunate (i.e. beneficiaries of my charity) of your impending donation and they insisted on writing you directly.  I'm attaching one particularly touching letter; if it's not too much trouble, would you mind drafting a brief response to young Joey?  I know it would mean the world to our little Joseph. Meanwhile, please rest assured that matters are proceeding smoothly with your lawyer; I hope to have matters resolved within the next week!
 
Best wishes (and please look at and respond to Joey's message--I will pass it on to him!)
 
Your Best Friend,
 
Robert, CEO, E.S.T.H.E.R.

The letter, soon sent:

Think Little Joey will get his malt liquor?

Barrister Amin wants more? Okay then.

From: "tareq amin" To: "Robert Hickam" Subject: Re: Urgent. Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2003 06:46:10 -0500

Attn:Robert Hickam.

I have received your passport but that is not all that is required of you
to secure the change of ownership certificate/every other related documents.

Please forward to me your Home/office Address including your private phone
numbers for processing of these documents.

Expecting to hear from you.

Barrister Tareq Amin.

Here you go, Barrister Amin...

From: Robert Hickam [mailto:rbhickam82@msn.com] Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 10:54 AM To: tareqamin@lawyer.com Subject: Re: Urgent.

Barrister Amin,

I apologize for not providing my full contact details earler. As my charity, E.S.T.H.E.R. is a subsidiary partnet of UNESCO (United Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization) it's probably best to contact me at UNESCO's offices, where I usually am.

Mailing address:
Robert Brendan Hicksman, CEO, E.S.T.H.E.R
C/oUNESCO
7, place de Fontenoy
75352 PARIS 07 SP
France

Phone:33 1 45 68 10 00
Fax: 19258912454

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

R. Hicksman

Time to travel?

From: "tareq amin" To: "Robert Hickam" Subject: Re: Urgent. Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2003 14:02:33 -0500

Attn: R.Hickman.

Having received your contact information today I wish to further inform you
earlier before now that you must travell to Dubai to receieve this consignment.Secondly we have to meet with each other face to face upon your arrival to enable us discuss more on the mode of legitimization of this fund as stated by my Client Mrs, Rasaq.

Therefore, I will be forwarding to you the certified documents very soon
immediately I am through with the processing.

Because it will help you most to tender your claims at the Cargoring company office in Dubai.

Please on a more serious note, do not disclose to anybody that the content
of the Metal Consignment (Box) is more because the Cargoring company will not pleased to deal with us in good faith if the knew the truth.

Best Regards.

Barrister, T. Amin

"Metal consignment?"

We have't heard from Mrs. Fatima in a while. Wouldn't it be nice if she wrote to Little Joey? And we still don't know who "Musa Azeez" might be.

From: Robert Hickam [mailto:rbhickam82@msn.com] Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 3:56 PM To: musa_azeez@yahoo.co.uk Subject: Re: Tareq Amin Email Address.

Hello Ms. Fatima,

I wanted you to know I have successfully contacted Barrister Tariq and things are now proceeding quickly. I should be coming to Dubai shortly to claim the consignment.

Did you receive the communication I forwarded to you from young Joey? He was hoping you might be able to respond with a few inspirational words; it would mean so much to him if you wrote him a short letter.

Who is Musa Azeez?

Best,

Robert B. Hicksman, CEO, E.S.T.H.E.R.

Looks like Mrs. Fatima's fortune's gonna be tougher to get than we thought:

----- Original Message ----- From: tareq amin Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 12:39 PM To: Robert Hickam Subject: Re: Urgent.   Attn:RB Hickman,

In regard to the securing of the certified documents in your favour this evening through the Cargoring company in Dubai. There was a little problem along the line because there is every need you must pay the sum of US$1,800 for the processing of this documents before despatching it to you.

Please I am writing to request for your assistance over this money demanded by the cargoring company to securing of the documents without which you cannot receive the Consignment in Dubai. You have to make this payment via western union Money transfer. Attention it to Mr, UZOH KEN EMEKA the protocol officer as the receiver.
Address:231Deira -Milda Dubai UAE.

Please do bear with me regarding this matter because when I contacted the Cargoring Company to ascertain the need of this payment I was made to understand that it is mandatory. This is in line with the Cargoring company rules and regulation, so there is nothing we can do.

Although I have contacted Mrs, Fatima also to see if she can raise this money but it happened that at the moment she is in a sick bed as such cannot be able to do any thing.

I would have assisted you from part but right from the begining of the transaction I have invested so much money into this considering the health condition of my client Mrs, Fatima Rasaq. You can see that you are the only way out of this problem of which you need to worry because you will have to withdraw whatever money you have put in the course of this business immediately we receive the Consignment in Dubai.

Expecting your maximum cooperation.

Best Regards.

Barrister, Tareq Amin
N/B:Please call me immediately you receive this message for more clarification. My Tel No:0088-216-333-10430

Well, suppose I have no choice...

From: Robert Hickam [mailto:rbhickam82@msn.com] Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 10:23 PM To: tareq amin Subject: Re: Urgent.

Well, if the cargo company requires $1800 I suppose I'll have to pay it.  Would it be possible for them to issue me an itemized invoice?  Also: would we be able to arrange a payment via bank transfer?
 
Best,
 
R. Hicksman

Here are the instructions...

From: tareq amin Date: Thu Jul 31, 2003 7:40:22 AM US/Eastern To: Robert Hickam Subject: Please adhere to my Advise

Attn:Robert Hickam.

I have received your mail with every contents duely noted and understood.This is to inform you that due to urgency of the matter that is why the Cargoring company requested you to send the money US$1,800.00 through western Union moneyTransfer with the Name of Mr, UZOH KEN EMEKA,DEIRA _MILDA DUBAI UAE

Please do not fail to pay this money today to enable them Issue to us the change of ownership/deposit certificates which will enable you to clear this consignment immediately you arrive to Dubai. Moreso, they must have to issue you receipt in that regard covering your expenses of the above mentioned items.

As soon as you make this payment please send the western union money transfer code to me so that I can forward it to them for clarification and prior to record purposes.

Be rest assured that every thing will be concluded this week as soon as you secure the documents with you before proceeding immediately to Dubai.

Thanking you for your anticipated cooperation.

Best Regards.

Tareq Amin (Esq)

...and here's our vehement reply:

From: Robert Hickam [mailto:rbhickam82@msn.com] Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2003 9:53 AM To: tareqamin@lawyer.com Subject: Re: Please adhere to my Advise

Barrister Tariq,

No. I won't do that. My father was murdered in a Western Union office and I refuse to patronize them. You'll simply have to find another way.

Regards,

R. Hicksman
Attn:Robert Hickam.

How sweet! Mrs. Fatima cares for little "Jofey" after all.

From: Musa Azeez Date: Wed Jul 30, 2003 8:24:33 AM US/Eastern To: Robert Hickam Subject: Re: Tareq Amin Email Address.

Attn:Robert Hickam
 
Regarding to the letter forwarded to me  yesterday by one of the inmate of the charitable organisation in your dormain I wish responding to my good friend Mister,Jofey .
 
Please find the attach letter for your perusal and kindly forward it to the apparent addressee  My friend Jofey.
 
May the good God give us the grace to actualize our dream in good faith.
 
Best Regards.
 
Mrs, Fatima Rasaq.

Oh no! All the stress seems to have made Mrs. Fatima ill. Maybe Barrister Tareq wasn't exaggerating?

From: Musa Azeez To: rbhickam82@msn.com Subject: Fwd: Re: Tareq Amin Email Address. Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 12:56:30 +0100 (BST)

Dear,Robert B. Hicksman.

I thank you very much for your sense of concern and good cooperation to work out this money with the cargoring company in Dubai for our good support to the charitable work of Almighty God.

Its really unfortunate to inform you that I am writing you right now from the hospital where I am taking some medical treatment of my Cancer ailment. However, same yesterday I managed to mail you with an Attached copy of a hand written letter I wrote to Young Joey.

Please kindly inform me if you did received it or not? However, I am sending again to you via email attachment below so go through it below for your perusal.

Yours Sincerely
Mrs Fatima Rasaq

NB: Please find attach the letter.

Who says barristers aren't sympathetic? Barrister Amin writes back:

With regards to your urgly experience of your father which was murdered in the wsetern union money I am writing once again atleast to sympathize with you and at the same time lead you through.

However, since you said that you cannot send the money via western union, I advice you to make use of Monegram money transfer or thomas Cook money exchanger which is found all over Europe countries to Send this money.

Please this is as a matter of urgency involved in the matter .

Go to any Bank nearest to you in your country and request for this service so that you can send this money US$1,800.00 as quick as possible.

Please still use the Same name MR, UZOH KEN EMEKA .

DEIRA-MILDA DUBAI UAE.

I wait to receive your immedaite response.

Best Regards.

Tareq Amin Esq

That's not good enough, Barrister Amin...

From: Robert Hickam [mailto:rbhickam82@msn.com] Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2003 2:22 PM To: tareqamin@lawyer.com Subject: Re: Please adhere to my Advise

Barrister Tariq,

Thank you for your kind words. I am relieved to find that you are a kind and sympathetic correspondent and did not remonstrate with me too harshly for what I acknowledge to be irrational fears. Accordingly, I think I can, with your gentle prompting and assistance, bring myself to set foot in a Western Union office and send the money.

I have one small favor to ask, however. I wonder if you could write me a brief reassuring note in your own hand and attach it in a return email. It doesn't have to be too long, just a few kind words to give me the courage to set foot in a Western Union office again. Perhaps something like:

Mr. Hickam,

I have faith in you. You are a kind and strong man. You need to put your
fears behind you and advance into the bright light of an overwhelmingly prosperous future...

Of course I;m paraphrasing here. But if you could write me a short note in your own hand, something I can clutch as I walk into the stale air of my local Western Union office, it would be much appreciated.

Best regards and thank you in advance,

R.B, Hicksman
Attn: Robert Hickam.

Tariq's as good as his word.

He writes:

From: tareq amin Date: Thu Jul 31, 2003 3:13:48 PM US/Eastern To: Robert Hickam Subject: Re: Please adhere to my Advise

Attn:Robert Hickam.

Please I just want to notify you that I have sent to you the mail as requested.

Please kindly reconfirm your Details information and as well as your telephone numbers once again.

Please do it immediately as I am going to forward it to the Cargoring company immediately I receive the Confirmation of the payment of the money US$1,800. 00

I expect hearing from you.

Tareq Amin Esq

Let's dissuade him a bit.

From: Robert Hickam [mailto:rbhickam82@msn.com] Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2003 3:19 PM To: tareqamin@lawyer.com Subject: Re: Please adhere to my Advise

Barrister Amin,
. As my charity, E.S.T.H.E.R. is a subsidiary partnet of UNESCO (United Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization) it's probably best to contact me at UNESCO's offices, where I usually am.

Mailing address:
Robert Brendan Hicksman, CEO, E.S.T.H.E.R
C/oUNESCO
7, place de Fontenoy
75352 PARIS 07 SP
France

Phone:33 1 45 68 10 00
Fax: 19258912454

From: tareq amin Date: Thu Jul 31, 2003 3:26:23 PM US/Eastern To: Robert Hickam Subject: Please tell me the position of things

Attn:Robert Hickam.

But did you receive the hand written letter I sent to you?

And how about the sending of the money?

Please let me know what is at stake now as I will be off line any moment from now.

Thanks.

Tareq Amin Esq

Cool off, Tareq...

From: Robert Hickam [mailto:rbhickam82@msn.com] Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2003 3:32 PM To: tareqamin@lawyer.com Subject: Re: Please tell me the position of things

Yes, would you mind writing me another letter of support? Or perhaps 2? You are so eloquent and I need all the reassurance I can get. You are a very kind man.

I will be leaving for the Western Union office soon.

Best,
R.B. Hicksman

Is he on to us?

From: tareq amin Date: Fri Aug 1, 2003 8:24:47 AM US/Eastern To: Robert Hickam Subject: Re: Please tell me the position of things

Attn:Robert Hickam.

I did not hear from you again after much of our deliberation on the issue of the payment via western union money transfer.

Please I want to know what is amiss? that you refused to comply as agreed.

Let me know now so that we will not be wasting time for nothing.

I remain.

Yours Faithfully,

Barrister Tareq Amin

Nah...

From: Robert Hickam [mailto:rbhickam82@msn.com] Sent: Friday, August 01, 2003 11:04 AM To: tareqamin@lawyer.com Subject: Re: Please tell me the position of things

Barrister Tariq,

Sorry to worry you; I was so preoccupied with a number of matters that I completely forgot to make it over to that place--is it the Western Front? I'll try to get over there this afternoon.

He's beginning to be concerned:

From: tareq amin Date: Fri Aug 1, 2003 12:47:14 PM US/Eastern To: Robert Hickam Subject: Please tell me the position of things

Attn:Robert Hickam. I believe that are not being misled in any way at all . I strongly beleive your words that you will never disappoint me. Please all I am saying is that you should hasten up matters because the cargoring comapany is becoming bothered as to the cause of this delay. Let me hope to receive the western union transfer notice of the money which will be forwarded to the Cargoring company immediately I receive it. Remember that delay is dangerous in any thing. Thanks and God Bless You. Tareq Amin Esq --

When in doubt, play dumb.

From: Robert Hickam [mailto:rbhickam82@msn.com] Sent: Friday, August 01, 2003 1:20 PM To: tareqamin@lawyer.com Subject: Re: Please tell me the position of things

I understand. What do I need to do in the old West again?

And then, when no response...

From: Robert Hickam [mailto:rbhickam82@msn.com] Sent: Friday, August 01, 2003 1:41 PM To: tareqamin@lawyer.com Subject: Re: Please tell me the position of things

Barrister Amin,

I need a Christmas miracle!

R.B. Bhcksman

Now he's mad:

From: tareq amin Date: Fri Aug 1, 2003 2:51:06 PM US/Eastern To: Robert Hickam Subject: Re: Please tell me the position of things

Attn:R.B. Bhcksman.

I just cannot fully understand what you are talikng about.

Please try to realistic about what you are doing with me considering my repute.

How on earth have you decided to turn me around like this?

If you cannot handle this business please kindly spell it out once and for all.

Best Regards.

Mr. Tareq Amin

Confused? Why would anyone be confused?

From: Robert Hickam [mailto:rbhickam82@msn.com] Sent: Friday, August 01, 2003 4:20 PM To: tareqamin@lawyer.com Subject: Fwd: Re: Please tell me the position of things

I'm sorry--I really didn't mean to confuse you. What don't you understand?

R.B. Hicksman

Your foresight will become a nimble vagrant.

Game over.

From: "tareq amin" Date: Sat Aug 2, 2003 7:34:19 AM US/Eastern To: "Robert Hickam" Subject: Put the money into your arsh I will receive it here

Attn: Mr, Robert Hickam.

I beleive you are not trying to help matters the way you are sounding.

You told me you are sending the money and now you are telling cock and bull stories.

Equally you can put the money into your buttocks I will receive it over here.

Please make sure you do not continue this nasty joke with me.

Bye for ever.

Barrister Tareq Amin

Bye, Tareq. In our own way, we're going to miss you.