A New Times Staffer Takes a Safari Into Scam Baiting on 419Eater.com

It takes dedication to keep up the 419Eater site too, Rover says. The budget is minuscule: They sell a little advertising to help pay the technical costs, and some scam-baiters buy "premium" memberships for $25 a year. Rover says he spends two to three hours at night working on the site. "We're all just regular people trying to make a difference to the community around us," he says. "You do it in whatever way you can. It all sounds very 007-ish, but it's really not."

So he's a do-gooder without a trace of sentiment? "I have no compassion whatsoever," he adds. "When I find out somebody's been scammed, I'm like, 'Wow, it sucks to be you.' "

C. Stiles

The fake Dr. Alassane sent this passport to prove his identity.

C. Stiles

The real Dr. Alassane.

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The last email from Lome, Togo, came early last month, and it was clear my scammers were sick of dealing with me. But not sick enough to miss one last demand for the funds.

October 6, 2009

From: Alassane Out

To: Jenny Schecter

Subject: forlongtime jenny and paul play with my money.

was it a joke jenny and paul tell me now or you send the money. send the money now. if you can not do that you forget about this business okay. buybuyjenny.