Ex-fiancee got a call claiming that she'd won a lottery; they wanted her to send money to Montego Bay, JA to pay tax on it. She pretty much believed it, but called me about it and told me what she knew. I told her that it was a scam, so when he called again to give him my phone # because I'd be the one sending the money.

So - he called me. Here's the pitch:

Strong (Jamaican) accent, gave his name as James Jefferson.

She "won" $15,000 cash and a certified check for $1.5 million. I played dumber than dumb and acted real excited. All I have to do is pay 2% of the winnings as tax ($2500) and wire it (go to Wal-Mart, use Western Union) to Anthony Spencer, Montego Bay, Jamaica, W.I. and the money will be delivered in a package. Of course I promised to do it (he emphasized keeping it confidential).

As soon as I got off my cell with him I called the FBI in Charlotte to give them the info (in general of which they were well aware). While I was on the phone with the FBI agent, he called several times on my cell. I figured he'd call her again, so I called her and gave her the # for the FBI. I told her to have him call me there (that it was the number of a friend's house where I was going).

Then I called the FBI office and said that the scammer might fall for it and call me there, so watch the Caller ID and don't answer the phone "FBI, Charlotte", but just to play along.

Anyway, the scammer called her (and called me) several more times, seemed to smell a rat about calling me at the other (FBI) number. I gave him a song and dance routine, and he repeated several times not to tell anybody about this.

The S.O.B. is going to call me at 8 AM (Saturday morning wake-up call), I guess to confirm that I'm headed out to send the money.

Those guys must have good long distance rates.