while watching the live feed of yesterday’s stage (through links to Eurosport in steephill), my computer was attacked by some really nasty viruses. the security system was unable to fend off the attack.

thanks very much! i was about to ship the computer off to the repair shop

Beginning: Early January, 2001 Mid-end February, 2001

Subject: Chief Obiofor Nwafor, son of another chief Bagudu Nwafor, Zimbabwe, victim of oppression by ZANU PF, etc – is in Spain and wants to get the special cargo arriving from South Africa with the remnants of his father assets. Unfortunately the commission and money asked by the “security company” is more than available, so that an external money infusion is needed for clearance (of course, asked from the potential victim).

Personal attitude: Due to lack of information about what’s going on in this world around, lost quite a lot of time and put effort until realising who is in fact the communication partner.

I never fully believed in the truthfulness of this story, which attitude helped me to stop. Who could be that chief Bagudu? Spent some time to learn the situation as described on sites about Africa and Zimbabwe. Wrote to several human rights agencies, including Amnesty Int. in UK and local offices in Africa.

No ID of the mentioned names found. Steps taken: asking as many questions as possible, deeper and deeper into detail. This took some time – totally, there were over 25 mails received from “Obi” and same sent , maybe less. Plus two phone calls done by me out of curiosity. Above all things, I thought that a push-pull communication would drive him to the end of patience and cause him forget many of things told in the beginning. For your knowledge (and fun at times) here is what I did.

First wanted to present myself as well as possible to catch his trust and try open him if I open myself (though controlled). I presented myself as an active Evangelical Christian – which is true, told shortly something about everything, sent even a scanned picture of myself. Asked him to do the same – never responded to my first set of questions; just something parallel. After presenting me as believing Christian, he began to pose as a fellow Christian brother. So, naturally, among other things asked him to share his testimony – how he became a Christian. Wrong answer from him – touched no essentials of faith, usually known.

After a number of mails he began to push me to send money. I could delay another week, motivating it is not possible to use Western Union to transfer funds from Romania, except to 1st grade relatives (this is real). So, informed him I’ll try ask a friend from West Europe to do it. But not the sum requested (“to survive until we meet in Madrid”) – just a “test” small sum in order to check it arrives well. The idea was to track him, if he is really in Spain or anywhere.

So, a first sum of 10-12$ was sent. After that, checked the web site of Western Union (WU) several times a day to see if the sum was picked-up. Informed my friend who has sent the money to enquire at the European WU headquarters (in Brussels?) and track the place where the money were picked-up.

First surprise, while all communication was claimed to be located in Madrid, the money were picked up in Malaga, which is the very south of Spain. Frankly, I expected something worse (Caraibe, Honolulu…). And it took 1 week to pick it up. Asking why, Obi claimed that his acquainted Patrick Clemens traveled in the country and therefore the delay. Obi asked about USD1000 until I would fly to Madrid to bring the rest of the money to clear the cargo from South Africa – just to have to live, buy a cell phone for communicating with me. Further, I asked another friend from Germany to send him another portion of small money – this time via bank route in his account. Obi refused this system. So asked the first friend, which anyway advised me to stop the game, send another money portion, enough for a cheap cell phone. In one of the mails asked Obi to tell which are the languages he speaks – answer: “ungala” and English. Can tell, never found a track of “ungala” on all specialized linguistical sites…. So, my friend sent the money – this time they were picked up faster. Obi transmitted a cell phone number where to be reached. I was very excited to hear his voice – knowing the English spoken generally by the Africans, with its round sounds. So I could call one night for several minutes.

A very important element and a new obstacle appeared – I was pushing the visit and it was very close (maybe less than 10 days before the flight), when Obi “announced” there is needed more money for the clearance of the cargo. This after he was told I had the flight ticket reservation for that date and will meet him at that hour in that place. Very specific. It was about several thousand dollars difference which I “could not” bring.

I wanted to fly to Madrid and there meet a friend from Germany coming with his car for backing me up – then trying to contact the local police or anybody dealing with those guys. Asked Obi to try contact his “lawyer” in South Africa and borrow from him the rest of the needed money. I think, discouraged him when informed I’ll carry no cash with me on the flight and the arrangements would be made after we meet. Slowly, felt how he draws back and finally I had to cancel the flight before to meet him. I understand this, especially after the final test at the phone:

Passed his phone number to my friend and asked him to call. Very important: All of the sudden, in the middle of the conversation to ask which languages he speaks. The “African” voice type was confirmed – Obi did not mentioned “ungala” as the first dialect spoken – in fact, not at all- something else. Immediately he realised the mistake and just succeeded to keep his anger low voiced. Well done – he was disqualified for good. Somehow I regret not finalizing the operation – though there were too many risky and negative elements involved and I really had no longer time to lose with it.

So, the whole operation has cost me some USD250 in all. I could not identify the Obi person, whoever he was (Patrick Clemens?). Took care to have no strong words with Obi, just our relationship stopped due to objective “circumstances”. I have sent him one or two messages, asking about his present status – keep him warm. He avoids to speak about lately developments – also the urgency seems gone… Even a Passover greeting card came from him – how sweet….

Obi was the guy driving the van at ESG