Notorious e-mail scam snares Volusia retiree's nest egg

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel ^ | 12/23/03 | Jim Stratton

[Holly_P]

In a windowless room, in a nondescript house on the other side of the world, Rupert Sessions glimpsed his fortune.

It was a metal suitcase, choked with $100 bills and protected by armed guards and a combination lock. The money had brought Sessions, an Ormond Beach retiree, all the way to the Persian Gulf.

He and a West African associate were there to collect the $21.5 million in the case. But he was concerned because the bills looked discolored.

Don't worry, officials told him. That's just a security measure. We can clean up the cash.

Finally, Sessions thought, it's ours.

* * * * *

There was, of course, no $21.5 million. Sessions, a 73-year-old retired electronics specialist, had been fleeced by what may be the most widespread fraud on Earth.

He had poured more than $300,000 into a Nigerian 419 scam, the label describing the legendary e-mails that promise millions but deliver nothing.

He sold stock, got a second mortgage and hocked his two cars. For more than a year, he gave virtual strangers every dollar he had. He bought them gold pens, cell phones and a laptop computer. Sessions spent so much that he now fears losing his home.

"It's all gone," he said Monday. "Everything."

Still, Sessions was so mesmerized by the well-spoken West Africans

[11th_VA]

A fool and his money ...

[Capt. Tom]

A poster boy for a Florida democrat voter. And so forgiving. - Tom

[Moosilauke]

Who says spam doesn't pay?

[Poohbah]

And he probably voted for Buchanan.

"Volusia County: We put the 'DUH!' back into Florida!"

[Always Right]

Darn, that scam actually works.

[cwb]

I'm still getting these letters...and have seen this scam for years, now. How hard is it to do a Google search and at least check out the story. Unbelieveable!

[AgThorn]

Picture of the recently fleeced....

[KevinDavis]

What a DumbA**

[BulletBobCo]

Did Al Gore invent him?

[ThreeYearLurker]

Greetings and salutations, My name is Dr. Ron Karenga and I work for the Nigerian government...

[from occupied ga]

There is no upper bound to stupidity. I wonder if he was from NYC originally? DId he vote for Gore?

[Mr. Bird]

This is the type of imbecile for whom Democrats want to provide a social security "safety net". And, as is often the case, he demonstrates that no amount of social concern can keep an abject buffoon from screwing up his life. But I get to subsidize his jackassery. Great.

[Holly_P]

But I get to subsidize his jackassery. Great.

Jackassery - I like that!

[Grampa Dave]

While he did not physically kill himself, he destroyed himself financially. So he deserves this award:

[cwb]

"Sessions was wary but intrigued. His $250,000 nest egg had been scrambled by the stock market's slide. He and his partially disabled wife needed the money."

I can just see it now: It's Bush's fault that this poor man had to risk his life's savings. While I feel sorry for this guy's wife, his greed has not only left him broke, it will undoubtedly make him a new dependent of the Nanny State. Just how much sympathy...or support, should people like this get? I must also say, that on the few occasions I've read these scams, they do ask the victim to lie...or exaggerate, about certain details in order to get the cash. His ignorance and greed destroyed him...and we'll end up paying the bill.

[Walkin Man]

He's lucky they didn't kill him.

Its hard to believe that a person can be so fricken stupid to fall for a scam like this!

[Mr. Bird]

Chronic (and continuing) alcoholics are not given liver transplants. Boobs who respond to the Nigerian email scam should not be entitled to taxpayer assistance.

[dead]

Sessions spent so much that he now fears losing his home.

He won’t "lose" it. He’ll give it away.

I hope his teeth are real.

[suzyq5558]

Good Grief. i would bet he was a disenfranchised voter who punched for Buchannon instead of gore,the world it seems is full of idiots.