“Hanging in Chad"
Act I of the episode “Enforcers" from This American Life
Originally aired 09/12/2008

Name ______Pd______

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

419 Scam –Brief Overview

This scam usually begins with a letter or e-mailpurportedly sent to a selected recipient but actually sent to many, making an offer that would result in a large payoff for the victim. The details vary, but the usual story is that a person, often a government or bank employee, knows of a large amount of unclaimed money or gold which he cannot access directly. The sums involved are usually in the millions of dollars, and the investor is promised a large share, typically ten to forty percent, if they assist the scam character in retrieving the money. Invariably sums of money which are substantial, but very much smaller than the promised profits, are said to be required in advance for bribes, fees, etc.—this is the money being stolen from the victim, who thinks he or she is investing to make a huge profit. The number "419" refers to the article of the Nigerian Criminal Code (part of Chapter 38: "Obtaining Property by false pretences; Cheating") dealing with fraud. Source: (

About the title: hanging chad – a chad is a small piece of paper that is supposed to be removed when someone punches a hole in a card or piece of paper. A hanging chad is such a piece of paper that fails to fall out. The term became famous during the Bush-Gore election when recounts in Florida were complicated by "hanging chads." The name of this radio segment bears no relation to this information, but you should know the reference.

vigilante – a person who takes the law into his or her own hands to avenge a crime

nom de guerre – an assumed name under which one fights; it's analogous to the nom de plume, an assumed name under which one writes.

The characters, or their noms de guerre:

The baiters: Ya Whatever, Joe-Joe, Professor So-and-Soof “419 Eater.com"

The victim: Adamou

THE STORY: "HANGING IN CHAD"

1. Write down at least five details about the scam the baiters played on Adamou:

2. What happens when Adamou arrives in Chad?

3. What is the truth of Adamou's situation as best the baiters can determine?

4. How do the baiters lure Adamou to Abéché?

5. Why does he believe them?

6. How does Adamou get to Abéché and what happens when he gets there?

7. The baiters find Adamou's pleas for help hilarious, while Ira Glass finds it painful. Explain their different perspectives.

8. How did the baiters try to get Adamou arrested?

9. What does Adamou write to his bosses in Lagos?

10. What big lie do the baiters tell Adamou and what were the various reactions to it? (The baiters, Ira Glass, various internet readers, you)

11. What are the ethics of sending Adamou to Abéché? Would the baiters be responsible for his death if he died? Why or why not?

Discussion Preparation Notes

  • At the beginning of this story, Ira Glass calls it an instance of "karmic justice." Define the term.
  • Explain your reaction to this story.
  • Are the scam baiters handing out justice or revenge or neither? Explain.

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