The Scam Traders

Preview

In the southern part of Nigeria in the city of Lagos, members of the Blue Close Club were holding a meeting. Big business tycoons from America, European businessmen, the Nigeria big boys, others from Australia, South America, Asia, and other parts of the world were in attendance. The meeting was presided over by the president of the club, Mr. Leby, a Lebanese.

"In a week from now," Mr. Leby said. "The American security leaders will be holding a meeting to form a common force with the intention of stopping our business."

Someone asked, "What's the way forward?"

"I'm sure if we get the minutes of the American meeting we'll find a solution," the man from Nigeria said.

The presiding officer asked: "Who will travel to the United States, attend the meeting, and get the minutes?"

"We can send the South African leader," a Brazilian man suggested.

"No, he might be recognized by the FBI. South Africa is the second most corrupt nation in the world after Nigeria," said a man from Syria.

"Let's send the Italian representative," suggested a man from Iceland.

"No, the America government believes the Italians formed an allegiance with organizations in the Middle East," the man from America said.

As the group began to argue about who would attend the meeting, the presiding officer held up his hand for silence. Looking directly at the American he asked, "Who do you suggest we send?"

"The best man for this mission is the Scottish leader. The whole world believes in his integrity," the American replied, and then reminded them. "His re-election was sponsored by our European sector."

The presiding officer nodded. "You handle it. Tell him what he needs to know and how important it is to our business."

The American silently accepted the responsibility.

The presiding officer asked him, "How much will the mission cost us?"

"A million dollars," the American replied.

"We will send the cash with you."

The attendees contributed the million dollars and the American left for Scotland the following morning to seal the deal.

The American's request was met with arrogance by the Scottish Leader. He refused to accept the mission. "Send someone else."

The American reminded the Scottish leader, "If the world finds out about your fraudulent activities, the United Nations will send soldiers to overthrow your government."

The Scottish leader remained stubbornly silent.

The American moved closer to him and clasped his shoulder. "Until then, let us protect our organization and businesses."

The Scottish leader glared at him.

The American did not let the man's attitude deter him. He explained the task and reminded the Scottish leader that the mission had been assigned to him by the council of the Blue Close Club.

"I'm not interested in your mission," the Scottish leader barked. "Find someone else to do it."

The American opened a briefcase and drew out a collection of documents that had been used by the Scottish leader to consummate an illegal deal. "I'm sure the world would be interested in how much of your country's money you embezzled and stashed in Jamaica. Or how much money you transferred out of Arab states through your personal bank account." The American had grabbed the Scottish leader's attention. His face reddened as his visitor leafed through the documents. Of course they were copies, the originals were stored in a safe place.

The American calmly continued, "During your political campaign you failed to mention to those who elected you, that you had been swindled out of a million, five-hundred-thousand dollars in a contract deal with a Nigerian. I imagine the Scottish people will be surprised to know this. Perhaps they would also be interested in knowing that we spent fifty-million dollars on your political campaign, since no one would have knowingly voted for a crook."

The threat sent a chill up the Scottish leader's spine. He watched silently as the American paused to straighten his tie and glance down at his open briefcase.

Finally the Scottish leader responded. "You wouldn't."

The American snapped the briefcase shut and met the Scottish leader's eyes. "You know we would. If we go down, you go down."

The Scottish leader rushed to a nearby cabinet, poured himself a drink, and gulped it down.

The American looked bored as he stood near the door. "What will it be?"

Looking very much like a caged animal, the Scottish leader nodded his head.