They call me MISTER Kwaku!

By David Codrea

I was spammed by an Internet crook trying to pull the “419” scam, so named for the Nigerian
criminal statute it violates. Basically, petty con artists send out mass mailings hoping to gain the
trust of gullible marks by promising them a fortune, and then trick them into sending “expense”
money.

Rather than just deleting the message, or forwarding it to the Treasury Department, which
generally archives them with no real action, I decided to have some fun with it and see where
playing with the guy would lead. As he indicated he was from Ghana, this required about an hour
of Internet research so that I would have a base of cultural information to establish a new identity
as a fellow African.

-----Original Message-----
From: franky samora [mailto: frankysamora@yahoo.fr ]
To: David Codrea
Subject: asisstance

From Mr.FRANKY SAMORA.

Dear sir,

How are you today I hope that you are alrigt. Before elucidating further, I think
it will be fit this writing if i at this juncture introduce my self. I am the only
son of MR.RICHARD Samora PEPRAH who happend to be the former finance minister in
Ghana during president JERRY RAWLINGS administration.

However a new elected president Mr J.A.Kufour has taken over the mantle of
leadership in our country and he has sworn to bring to book all corrupt
officials who enriched themselves during the past regimes.wich he ordered
that no minister should travel out. Then my father wes trying to move out
of the country before the probing will start he wes latter caught he is
now in detention.my father instructed me to leave the country for safety
and start up a buisness in overseas with the total sum of TWENTY FIVE
MILLION U.S $ DOLLARS only [$25,000.000.00].

Actually I don’t know you and I have never seen you before but I got your
contact from a diplomat friend of my father in GHANA whom I met at trade
fair complex here in Senegal who assured me of your capability in handling
an international transaction though he is not a ware of this my proposal to
you.

And i have all the relevant documents that covers the fund deposited by
my father with my name in a security & trus company here in senegal wich i
will send to you on request.

Note that this transaction demands the highest trust and confidence between
us, moreover it is risk free in the sense that I have taken proper care of all
formalities regarding this transaction for your assistance and
co-operation. I have decided to give you 15% of the total sum involved
and 5%will be used to offset any expenses that will be incurred by both
parties.

As soon as the transfer is effected, and the amount mentioned above is

successfully transferred into your private or companys account I intend
to use my own share to invester in your country.

Thanks
From Mr Franky Samora.

-----Original Message-----
From: David Codrea
To: 'franky samora'
Subject: RE: asisstance

Mr. Franky Samora,

Thanks be to God you speak English. With nine government-sponsored languages and
26 non-official languages, I could at least make a decent attempt to communicate
with you in Akan or Dagaare/Waale, possibly even Gonja or western region Nzema. I
was afraid for a moment you might be one of those Tutkepne and Nkwanta Adele
speakers, or God forbid, Vagla or Wali, and then we should indeed be lost!

In any case, I should be delighted to assist in the financial transactions you

most wisely brought to my attention. Please communicate the most convenient way
to transmit my bank account and PIN numbers so that we may effect the required
transfers without delay.

I am sure you will join me in this most noble sentiment:

Hail to thy name, O Ghana

To thee we make our solemn vow;
Steadfast to build together
A nation strong in Unity;
With our gifts of mind and strength of arm,
Whether night or day, in the midst of storm,
In every need whate'er the call may be,
To serve thee, Ghana, now and evermore.

Looking forward to serving thee, Mr. Franky Samora,

Your servant for a greater Ghana,

David "Kwaku Afriyie"1 Codrea

----Original Message-----
From: franky samora
To: David Codrea
Subject: RE: asisstance

Dear David,

Thanks for your quick response to my request and also your interest and
willingness to help me,the Almighty God will surely bless and reward you for that.

The first phase of this transaction as you may know from my first letter to you is
to bring out this money from the security company where it was deposited for
onward transfers.in this regard i want you to liase with the company on my behalf
as my foreign partner for the most safest and easiest means of transferring this
money.

consiquently,i you agree on this,then i will need your private tel/fax numbers to
enable me send to you the deposit documents that covers the money so that we can
start in earnest.
Before i stop i will like to if you are a Gannean because you pleased me so much
by that noble and beloved pledge.

Thanks & my dearest regards to your family,waiting to hear from you soon.

Yours very truly,

FRANKY SAMORA.

-----Original Message-----
From: David Codrea
To: 'franky samora'
Subject: RE: asisstance

My esteemed new friend Mr. Franky Samora,

I hope I am not being presumptuous? Please, I should be honored if you would

address me as Kwaku.

Regrettably, I cannot claim the honor of Ghanean nativity. I was born into the
Dacian2 tribe, of which you may have heard, but my admiration for the most noble
people from your blessed Motherland is without peer.

While privileged to attend Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, I had
the honor of attending Adaekese, perhaps the most spectacular of all the festivals
in Ghana. As you know, it attracts the largest gathering and its exhibition of the
Golden Stool in full splendor next to the King of the Ashantis, is a sight to
behold. I was permitted to assist in the Ga delegation's sprinkling of kpekpele, a
tradition from Homowo by the people of greater Akra which I am sure you hold in
special reverence and favor.

You may contact me at your convenience. I am providing to you in compliance with

your inquiry my expeditious contacting information:

You may send a facsimile transmission to me with the required forms at: 202-452-
3819. My personal telephone number is: 202-452-3245.3

Mr. Franky Samora, please do not let me down. I could tell you what happened when
an insincere individual from Nigeria attempted to abuse my confidence, but aiee!
What can you say about unscrupulous people-- they are goats and sons of goats.
You, however, I perceive as forthright in conviction, a man I can sincerely trust.
I am most humbly honored to begin our mutual path to prosperity, and look forward
to your favorable reply.

Me ho wo ekyene4,

Kwaku

-----Original Message-----
From: franky samora
To: David Codrea
Subject: RE: asisstance

Dear Kwaku,

I am very happy to know that at last the Almighty God has joined us together as
brothers to tread this pros perious pedestrian for i believe we are brothers
though not a gannean but for your love and admiration for my people i consider
you one.based on this I promise that i will not in any away humanly let you
down,forget about unscrupulous,society diliquents and
impostors who believe they can get something out of nothing,(they are at best
described as furtune hunters or gold diggers)but fate musn't fail to catch-up with
them.they will innevitably meet their doom someday for Bible made us to understand
that the wicked shall not go unpunished.

My dear brother,i wanted this trasaction concluded asap to enable me leave this
country.therefore i have a concrete arrangement with the financial controller of
the security company where the money was deposited to ship the consignment to
their correspondence offices in london,spain or holland.this arrangement is to
make sure that this money leaves africa before anything ugly happens to
it,ofcourse i don't need to go too far,good enough you know africa too well.a
place where anything can happen anytime.

Based on the light of the above therefore,if will go to any of this three places
to recieve the money,please do not hesitate to get me abreasted so
that i will instruct them to proceed with shipping arrangements.

Thanks and best regards,looking forward to hearing from you soonest.

Yours very truly,

FRANKY.

-----Original Message-----
From: David Codrea
To: 'franky samora'
Subject: RE: asisstance

My illustrious new brother Mr. Franky Samora,

God bless our homeland Ghana,

And make our nation great and strong,
Bold to defend for ever
The cause of Freedom and of Right;
Fill our hearts with true humility,
Make us cherish fearless honesty,
And help us to resist oppressors' rule
With all our will and might for evermore.

I would like to share with you a jest, told to me by an educated gentleman from
Sekondi.

It seems a poor Navrongo guineacorn farmer wished to marry his daughter to the
eldest son of a prominent man. The prominent man quite naturally required a
substantial dowry of one fine she-goat and a spool of copper wire.

Having no she-goat, the farmer, who was unscrupulous, disguised his young son in a
goat skin. "Do not worry, he told the boy. "When evening comes and the man falls
asleep, you can slip the rope from your neck and escape back to our home. As he
will have received his payment, he can make no further claim against us and will
be required to proceed with the marriage."

The young boy did as he was told and the transaction was effected without
incident. But that night, instead of going to sleep, the prominent man (who had
tired of his fat wife) went outside to claim his right and privilege as master of
the fine new she-goat. When he grabbed the beast, imagine his surprise when the
skin came off revealing a boy instead of a goat!
The boy was terrified, for he feared a beating, and started to run. But the
prominent man just grabbed his arm, laughed and said: "O! Be mo jege-m. Ko gara.
Amo ye pipinu. A bara!!!”5

Oh, my ribs-- they ache with mirth!

I, like you, my brother, am eager to conclude this transaction. I leave it to you

to designate the appropriate consignment office-- whether London, Spain or
Holland-- I shall trust to your superior experience in this matter and do as you
instruct. I have provided you with my telephone and facsimile numbers in order to
expeditiously advance to our next stage in this most prosperous transaction.
Please send me the required documents without delay.

Tor, A ke lei naa.6

Your brother,
David Kwaku Afriyie Codrea

-----Original Message-----
From: franky samora
To: David Codrea
Subject: RE: asisstance

My dear brother,

I recieved your mail,contents are duly noted.i really enjoyed your story it is an
interesting one,in summary, what counts in life is once view and outlook to life
"the Word of God 'bible' has finalized everything "evil begot evil while good
begot good" it's now left for man to decide on which side he wants to operate on
in planet earth.

I will go to the security company tomorrow first thing in the morning to clear the
demurrage being incured by the deposit upon which i will instruct them to proceed
with the transfers.i will send you the deposit informations upon my return from
the company,if you recieve the documents endeavour to get me posted immediately
for confirmation.

Thanks and remain bless

Yours very truly,

FRANKY.

-----Original Message-----
From: franky samora
To: David Codrea
Subject: RE: informations needed!

Dear David,

Compliments of the day.i just want to give this mail to get you posted with
developments this morning in the security company.

This morning,i submitted a letter of nomination and power of attorney in your

favor,this two legal backed documents depicks a formal presentation of your person
to the company as my foreign partner who will receive the consignment on my behalf
in europe.consiquently,the foreign operations director insisted that i should
confirm from you whether you will recieve the consignment when it gets over to
europe and also for you to choose one of these three countries that will be more
convinient for you.
The account department is computing the demurrage balance,i will get back there
after this mail to know if they have finish so that i will pay the money.

I expect immediate response to this mail so that i will give the company feed back
before close of work today and also to enable me mount pressure on them to see if
they could include our consignment in their saturday shipment.

Looking forward to hearing from you soonest,

Best regards,
FRANKY.

-----Original Message-----
From: David Codrea
To: 'franky samora'
Subject: RE: informations needed!

My friend,

Then I will choose London-- please tell me where I shall receive this consignment.
You have my telephone and facsimile number. Please immediately forward required
documents to my attention. Saturday shall pose a problem for arranging needed
transportation--- unless I hear from you immediately, I cannot possibly make all
travel arrangements in time.

What is the address and establishment that I am to go to? Who is the contact I
should seek?

Please, my brother and friend, address these concerns with your utmost diligence.
My eagerness trembles.

DKAC

-----Original Message-----
From: franky samora
To: David Codrea
Subject: RE: informations needed!

My dear brother and friend,

Before replying this your mail,i have gone to the company to instruct them to
commence with the shipment as i told you in my last mail.all the necessary
arrangements are in top gear to ensure that the consignments leaves by
saturday,hopefully,if all things being equal the consignment will be in london on
sunday.

Their correspondence in london will contact you as soon as the consignment gets to
their custody.

I have tried to fax the documents across to you without luck,is like there is a
communocation problem.however,i will leave no stone unturned to see that the
documents gets to you this evening.

Thanks and remain bless,

FRANKY.
-----Original Message-----
From: David Codrea
To: 'franky samora'
Subject: RE: informations needed!

Of course, my brother. Please keep trying-- I know the number is working, because
I just received a correspondence transmittal from my brother in Akosombo-- he is
an engineer who works at the dam there.

I just want to say how grateful I am that you have chosen to give me your
affection and confidence. Please let me know when you will require my banking
information to effect the transference. I do worry about you though-- you are
taking such bold risks-- do you have enough now on hand to cover your expenses?
Please let me know if you require any assistance in this regard. You have already
done so much for me, I should like you to view me as a resource you may count on.

David Kwaku Afiyie Codrea

-----Original Message-----
From: franky samora
To: David Codrea
Subject: RE: informations needed!

Dear Brother,

How are you today? hope fine.to start with,i musn't fail to express my gratitude
towards your concern for me and your eagerness to see that this transaction is
successfully actuallised.

I just want to know whether you receive the documents because i fulfilled my
promise by sending it last night so try to check your fax quickly to avoid the
documents being taking by another person,and try to reach me for confirmation of
receipt

I have paid the demurrage balance this morning,i will fax you the receipt for your
perusal,the consignment is scheduled to be carried to the courrier company later
this evening against tommorows shipment.

Bye for now and remain bless,waiting to hear from you soon.

Yours Brother,
FRANKY.

-----Original Message-----
From: David Codrea
To: 'franky samora'
Subject: RE: informations needed!

My dear Franky,

Alas, I have received no documents. Perhaps there is a problem with transmission,

because I am certain I gave you the number I want them sent to. No matter-- if
they can be faxed, they can be scanned and sent as a file over the Internet via
email. Please advise if you can do this. Otherwise, I will also make immediate
arrangements to procure a different fax number. I understand that such is
available.

This is what we used to call "M'Ufree's Law" in my homeland: When you go to milk
a buffalo, you more often than not find a lion in the boma.
Aiee.

We shall persist.

David Kwaku

-----Original Message-----
From: franky samora
To: David Codrea
Subject: RE: situation report!

Dear David,

I hope you are fine together with your family.i called you last night and got a
woman believed to be your wife who told me to hang on for you unfortunately the
line went off and i treid to call back without luck.it is sometimes difficult to
call out from here because of network problem.i gave you email last night
informing you that i have sent the documents.

After weighing the consignment this morning,the courrier service said that they
will carry the consignment with US$3.500.after paying the demurrage
and othe charges,i was left with just 3000 dollars.should i use this money to
offset the shipping charge,i will be left with no money for my feeding and
hotel bills.please advice me on this precarious situation because i want this
consignment to leave dakar today.

It is partinent that i have your physical contact address and also a letter of
invitation to enable me apply for visa to come over.

Thanking you for your maximum cooperation and understanding,while looking forward
to hearing from you soonest

Yours faithfully,
FRANKY.

-----Original Message-----
From: David Codrea
To: 'franky samora'
Subject: RE: situation report!

Mr. Franky Samora,

This is David's wife Millicent Kiwitu. Was it you who called last night?

Why have the police come for my Kwaku? Why have they taken him away? Why were
they asking him about you?

Kwaku has been very secretive of late. I have just now been reading his
correspondences with you.

My husband has never been in trouble before. Now they will not let me speak with
him. We have no money for an attorney--I checked our account and Kwaku has
withdrawn $3,500 leaving us with not even enough money for the rent due next week.
Did he send these funds to you?

I suspect, Mr. Franky Samora, that you have been up to no good. My husband is an
honest man. I have seen him walk 20 km to return a goat.
What shall become of us? Who will care for our children, David Kwaku Jr. and
little Akuba Cudjoe7, she who is beyond consolation?

Mr. Franky Samora, I must insist that you right whatever wrong you have committed.
You must come forward immediately and assure the authorities that my Kwaku has
done nothing wrong.

Aiee, have you brought a curse upon our house, Mr. Franky Samora? Has my
husband's crime been to place his trust in you?

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, Mr. Franky Samora?

Mrs. Millicent Kiwitu Codrea

-----Original Message-----
From: David Codrea
To: 'franky samora'
Subject: RE: situation report!

Franky Samora-- how do you explain THIS? Who will come forward to help my Kwaku?

Why are you silent?

Mrs. Millicent Kiwitu Codrea

ATTACHMENT:
Local Man Held in Money Solicitation Scheme
Scandal: African Immigrant caught in Internet Sting. International authorities seeking
ringleader.
By D. NICHOLAS
Tribune Staff Writer

Police today conducted an early morning raid on a South Park apartment complex, seizing records and arresting an African
Immigrant.

David Kwaku Afriyie Codrea, 32, was taken into custody by officers from the Fraud Investigative Unit on suspicion of
soliciting stolen funds. Codrea had been monitored for the past week, assistant inspector Barry Hines told The Tribune,
when email correspondences with an as yet unidentified party triggered key word filters in the Carnivore scanning system.

David “Kwaku Afriyie” Codrea- Police File Photo8

“My husband is innocent,” the suspect’s wife, Millicent Kiwitu Codrea sobbed. “He has been framed by evil men,” she
added, saying she had turned over copies of all e-mail correspondences to the police.

“We have a pretty good idea who is behind this,” Hines confirmed, and have alerted authorities to a second suspect,
believed to be the initiator of the scheme. “We can’t say too much, because we don’t want to tip him off and allow him to
escape, but we expect another arrest shortly.”
-----Original Message-----
From: David Codrea
To: 'franky samora'
Subject: RE: situation report!

"Franky Samora" you evil being. That is not your real name. Look at what the
police showed to me: http://www1.ifccfbi.gov/strategy/nls.asp

Feast on what you have done, you creature, you devil.

No one will bring back my Kwaku. I will not rest until justice has been done.

Coward—you dare not acknowledge me! I spit on you, spawn of dogs.

Millicent Kiwitu Codrea

ATTACHMENT:
Jail Suicide Puzzles Authorities
African Immigrant Arrested in Sting Hangs Self. Ringleader Still at Large.
By D. NICHOLAS
Tribune Staff Writer

David Kwaku Afriyie Codrea, 32, was found hanged in his cell yesterday evening, and pronounced dead at Mercy General
Hospital. Codrea, an African immigrant, had been arrested in a police sting for engaging in a variation of the “Nigerian
Letter Scam,” also known as the “Four One Nine” scam, for the Nigerian fraud statute that it violates.

David “Kwaku Afriyie” Codrea- Police File Photo

According to the Internet Fraud Complaint Center, a joint venture between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime
Center, the scheme generally promises unwitting victims a percentage of a typically huge sum of money that they are asked
to take custody of. Once the victim’s confidence is gained, they are approached for funding to cover false expenses, and
are usually bilked for as long as they send money.

“The tragedy of this whole thing is that we believe Mr. Codrea was the intended victim,” Coroner’s spokesman Laurence
Fine told The Tribune, announcing confirmation that the death has been ruled a suicide. “Many immigrants have a fear of
authority based on their country of origin. They don’t realize that in America, they have rights. We’re speculating it was a
combination of this, along with a feeling of shame that induced the victim to commit this act.”

Authorities are tracing the origin of the illegal scheme. While details are closely guarded, The Tribune has learned that the
Yahoo Internet company’s French subsidiary provided the mail service platform where the fraud was launched, and that
rather than Nigeria, Ghana was represented as the country of origin.

“We have a name,” Assistant Prosecutor William C. Fields announced, “although it is certainly an alias. We have a good
idea who the individual is, and are working with appropriate authorities to apprehend them,” he added, saying the
department expects an arrest shortly.

“I’m adding a charge of manslaughter,” Fields said, noting that criminal charges for being an accessory are typically
brought forth when a death results from a criminal scheme.
“This just raised the seriousness of the crime to a whole new level,” he continued, and somewhere out there, a petty
criminal just entered the big leagues. When they do this, they soon find they’re in far over their heads and they can run, but
they can’t hide.”

Codrea leaves a wife, Millicent Kiwitu Codrea, 29, and two children, David Kwaku, Jr., 7, and Akuba Cudjoe, 5. A family
friend requested privacy. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

And I never heard from my “brother” Mr. Franky Samora again.

1
Name expropriated from the Ghanan Health Minister
2
My ancestors were Romanian, and their forebears were the Dacians.
3
Fax and phone numbers for the Federal Reserve Board
4
“Goodbye” (Asante dialect)
5
“Oh, what is wrong with you. It is better. I’m a merchant. I want this bargain!!!” (Kasem dialect)
6
“OK, I bid you thanks.” (Kasem dialect)
7
A former “Miss Ghana”
8
Hopeton Eric Brown, from the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted List”