Last week two seperate friends of mine recieved a private Facebook message from a stranger named Felicia. The message was something along the lines of,

“Hi. I am really Impressed with your profile. I would like to make a long lasting relationship with you. Please email me at: xxxxxxx. Forever yours, Felicia.”

So, I created a fake email with the pseudonym, Sheila Dercell, and emailed Felicia. Below is a transcript of our communications.

**I have in no way edited “Felicia’s” emails. All grammar and spelling mistakes are her own. My emails have been italicized and bolded.

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From: Shelia Dercell

To: Felicia Demah

Friday, August 23

Hi Felicia,



My friend passed your info along. I’m interested in establishing a long lasting relationship.



Regards,

Sheila

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From: Felicia Demah

To: Shelia Dercell

Saturday, August 24

My Dearest One

I am more than happy when i saw your mail.How was your day?,Mine is a little bit cold over here in Dakar Senegal. My name is Miss Felicia Demah from Ivory Coast in West Africa, I am 5.6ft tall, fair in complexion, 24 years old (never married)

I’m presently residing in the refugee camp here in Dakar Senegal as a result of the political war that happen in my country then and still going on secretly now.

My dear my late father was Dr.Paul Demah, He was the managing director of Demah Gas industry (Ltd). He was killed in the meddle of the political problem in my country under ( President Laurent Gbagbo ) Before the rebels attacked our house one early morning and killed my father and Mother together with my two little brothers in cold blood.

It was only me that is alive, it is by the infinite mercy of God that made me to escape the tragic incidence because i know that God holds my future.That is why i am alive today.

My dear i managed to make my way to a near by country Senegal in west Africa where i am leaving now as a Refugee.

I would like to know more about you.Your likes and dislikes, you know love is all about understanding and tolerance which covers a lot of mistakes in a life of couples. That is why i will love to know your hobbies and what you are doing presently.I will tell you more about myself in my next mail.

Attached here is my picture, which i will like to see yours as well.

Hoping to hear from you soonest,

Thanks

Miss Felicia Demah.

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To: Felicia Demah

From: Sheila Dercell

Sunday, August 25

Darling Felicia,

I was so touched to read your story. I’d love to hear more about your life in the refugee camp.

About me- my biggest passion is cats. I have 12 and also have been blessed to base my career around cats as well. I work as a cat fashion photographer. I travel all around the Midwest to photograph cat fashion shows. Last weekend I went to Milwaukee and attended a runway show for a new line of cat wigs. It was very en vogue. My favorite was this little kitty in the yellow wig. So precious!!!

I also really enjoy the art of building mini ships in bottles. It takes a lot of patience and restraint. I usually do yoga for about 3 hours before crafting to really get into the zone. Then I carefully put together the most amazing and intricate art. I recently did a diorama of the Titanic. Im hoping to sell it on Etsy.

I hope to hear from you again soon. I really enjoy talking to you.

Warmest regards,

Sheila ——————————————————————————————- From Felicia Demah To: Shelia Dercell Monday, August 26 My Dearest I am very happy when i saw your mail. How are you? hope you’re fine? My dear i am not fine here, This camp we are not allowed to go out of the camp It’s just like one staying in the prison house i pray by God’s grace i will come out of here soon. I don’t have any relatives now whom i can go to, all my relatives ran away in the middle of the war the only person i have now is Reverend Father Greb Edew, who is the Rev Father of ( St.Paul’s Catholic Church) here, he has been very nice to me since i came here but i am not living with him rather i am leaving in the female hostel because the camp have two hostels one for men the other for women. The Rev Tel number is (+221-762 998 340 ) When you call tell him that you want to speak with me he will send for me in the hostel. As a refugee here i don’t have any right or privilege to any thing because it is against the law of this country.I want to go back to my studies because i only attended my first year before the tragic incident that lead to my being in this situation now took place. Please i will like you to listen to me i have my late father’s statement of account and death certificate here with me which i will send to you latter,because when he was alive he deposited some amount of money in a leading bank in Europe which he used my name as the next of kin, as far as life is concern one man knowledge or idea can never make a real sense or direction until him or her meet the one who have a vision conscience and fear of God in him and also a matured mind to lead us to the right part to follow, because in life you cannot move forward unless you seek for he that is higher than you in wisdom,knowledge and understanding.



I believe by the fear of God and his divine conscience that is in you i entrust my hope and my future in your care i know that God will use you to make a way for me remember being white or black doesn’t matter but one good turn deserve another be a light for others for them to see through you. the amount in question is $4.5M (Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars). So i will like you to help me transfer this money to your account and from it you can send some money for me to get my traveling documents and air ticket to come over to meet with you. I kept this secret from people in the camp here the only person that knows about it is the Reverend because he is like a father to me, am afraid to loose the money and also loss my life if they gets to know about it my life will be a treat, in the light of above i will like you to keep it to yourself and don’t tell it to anyone because people can be jealous of others, take note . Remember i am giving you all this information due to the trust i deposited on you.I like honest and understanding people,truthful and a man of vision,truth and hardworking.

My favorite language is English. Mean while i will like you to call me when you have chance, Because i have a lot to tell you.Have a nice day and think about me. Am waiting to hear from you soonest Your forever in love



Miss Felicia Demah. ——————————————————————————————- From Sheila Dercell To: Felicia Demah Monday, August 25 My darling Felicia, The more I hear of your story, the more concerned I become for your well-being. I MUST HELP YOU. I would love to call and talk but I cannot speak due to a freak karaoke incident. Let it be known “My Heart Will Go On” should only be sung by professionals. However, I have become proficient in using my computer and even have an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device. Basically I type into the computer what I want to say, and then it speaks for me. Its what Professor Stephen Hawking uses. The only downside is that it has no inflection or emotion what-so-ever. There is no difference in tone when I say the phrases, “can you pass me those Flaming Hot Cheetos,” and “I am going to rip your face off.” Its really disheartening. (Flaming Hot Cheetos) 4.5 Million dollars?!? Wow, you are very very rich, which makes you a ten times more interesting to me. Obviously, I would love to help you get your money. I would be great to have you fly over here and start going back to school. What were you studying before you had to stop your studies? Studying in America would be great for you. Plus, youre a refugee, so you’ll probably get mad crazy scholarships. Lets get this ball rolling. Why dont you give me your bank information and I’ll just transfer your money to my account. Easy peasy. My favorite language is Urdu. Love eternal, Sheila ——————————————————————————————- From: Felicia To: Sheila Tuesday, August 27 My Dearest in Heart How was your day once again? I know with God all is well with you. I am grateful to receive your reply, that shows me that my situation here borders you a lot may the good Lord bless you love. Dearest in case if you want to call me and hear my voice or talk to me just use this number it belongs to our Rev here,his name is Rev Father Greb Edew and his number is (+221-762 998 340 ) ,just call and tell him that you want to speak with me he will send his Secretary to come me from the camp. In fact honey here in Senegal Refuge Camp,is like one staying inside prison, and i don’t want to continue like this, once the bank started up the transfer process with you, I will start up too my arrangement to meet you face to face in your country. My intention is to have a good future, and a good living. I believe in my heart that your help to me will bring something good to you, and i assure you that if God will use you to help me out of this situation, i will never forget you in my life and with what you have said in your mail to me i now have the confidence to go ahead with you. Bellow here is the contact of the bank. Halifax Finance Management

PO Box 548 Leeds LS1 1WU

London United Kingdom

Tel:+44 704 576 4110

Tel:+44 702 406 2502

Fax:+44 703 189 3675

Email: halifaxfm@inMail24.com

Contact Person: Dr. Ran Karleboma (Operation Manager)

Email: dr.ran_k@yahoo.co.uk Please i will like you to Contact the bank now to know how they will transfer the $4.5 million dollars deposited by my late father Dr.Paul Demah of which i am the next of kin to this money. I am glad that God has brought you to help me out from this situation and i promise to be kind and will equally need you in every area of my life plus investing this money since i am still too young to manage it. As i told you before,this camp is just like a prison and my prayers is to move out from here as soon as possible. Please make sure that you contact the bank because i have send a mail to them on your behalf as my partner who will retrieve the fund for me so that after the transfer you can send some money from that money for me to prepare my traveling documents to meet with you in your country for my better life. My love i will advice you to call the bank on their telephone number and at the same time send an email to them for them to know our seriousness, what ever you discuss with them do get back to me so that i will be knowing what is happening. I pray that God will surely see us through.Please once again keep it only to yourself, for my safety and security. The most important thing is to make sure that you make contact with the bank let us hear from them before any other thing will be done. Expecting to hear from you as soon as you get response from the bank. Please dear don’t forget that as soon as you received this fund in your account you will send to me some money from there which i will use to come and meet you in your country for future investment and i will also continue my education under your care while you manage the investment. Please take good care, and put me in your daily prayers,God bless you.please send me your full contact for easy communication i will be waiting to hear from you. Love and Kisses. Best Regard

Miss Flicia Demah ——————————————————————————————- From: Sheila To: Felicia Tuesday , August 27 Mon trésor en sucre,



I am so glad I heard from you again today. I always worry that I will never hear from you again, especially because you say its like a prison there. In American prisons it is very hard to communicate with the outside world. Mostly because you are busy trying to establish your “prison credibility” and not trying to offend the top dogs. Speaking of- have you seen the show “Orange is the New Black,” yet? Its SO good. Crazy Eyes is my favorite. Her relationship with Piper reminds me a lot of us. Do you have a computer there? If not, I better send you one so you can watch it. Can you give me your address? I’ll send it right away.

(Piper and Crazy Eyes) The more I think about it, the more concerned I am for your saftey and security. I think we should start using code names. I’ve decided mine will be Maya Normusbutt. Here are some suggestions for you:



Ura Snotball

Amanda Hugginkiss

Hootie McBoob

Chesty LaRue

Ima Wiener



Go ahead and pick from that list, and that is the secret code name we will use from now on, just to be sure our conversations are secure. Also, I have one request before I contact the bank. Please send a picture, holding a sign with the code name you have picked written on it. This is to ensure that you are a real person. I have heard about these crazy scams when wiring money, and I dont want to get dooped! I have A LOT of money (I donate a lot of plasma) and I really dont want to lose it to some nutty scam.



As soon as I recieve the picture I will email the bank my account information.



What sort of things do you want to do when you get to America? Since it will be your first time (I’m assuming), I think we should take a trip to Chicago, since I live close. The best way to see the city is on a Segway Tour. I’ve always wanted to take one, so what better time then with you?

(seriously- how much fun does that look!!!!!) It is also an American Right of Passage to go to the local mall and have our pictures taken together at the JC Penny Portrait Studio. Hopefully you will be here by Christmas, so we can have our pictures taken together to send out as our family Christmas card. (This is just an example- obviously you dont have to wear khakis if you dont want to.)



Ok, I better go. Glee is almost on. Oh my gosh, you probably dont even KNOW WHAT GLEE IS!!!!!!!!! Gosh, there is so much I cannot wait to teach you about. So please, send that photo as soon as you can so we can get this show on the road (dont forget to pick a code name and include it in your picture so I KNOW YOU ARE REAL- our security and safety is of the utmost importance.)



Holding my breath until I hear from you again, so please, dont take long….



Maya Normusbutt (AKA Sheila)