In which Gilbert Murray is fortunate enough to win millions of dollars in a lottery that he never even entered... and for the second time, believe it or not! Life is full of such pleasant surprises. Although Gilbert's wife doesn't seem quite so pleased; she would rather have won a bottle of liebfraumilch in a raffia basket in the church raffle...

Cast of characters

Gilbert Murray - an elderly and somewhat confused resident of Gypping in the Marsh.
Gabrielle Bennett - allegedly a director of the Multi Lotto Company.
Dennis Wilde - allegedly "Director of Foreign Translations" (does he mean "Transactions"?) at a MoneyGram office in Greece.

From: Gabrielle Bennett

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: COMMENT VAS-TU AUJOURD'HUI?

Sent: Thu, 03 Apr 2025 16:20

Bureau de l'ONU/PNUD en Grèce Boulevard du Régent, 37 B-1000 Athènes, Grèce Athènes, Grèce Bureau de l'ONU en Grèce

Cher heureux gagnant, Félicitations à vous.

Ce message est pour vous informer que votre adresse e-mail a remporté la somme de 1 700 000,00 dollars seulement (UN MILLION SEPT CENT MILLE DOLLARS) dans notre société de loterie MULTI LOTTO ce mois-ci.

Nous avons déposé votre colis de 1 700 000,00 dollars auprès de la société de livraison des Nations Unies en Grèce. Et leur demandons de nous aider é vous livrer votre colis de 1 700 000,00 dollars dès qu'ils auront de vos nouvelles aujourd'hui.

Par conséquent, veuillez contacter Mme Gabrielle Bennett, la directrice de la société de livraison en Grèce via cet e-mail ici (xxx@gmail.com) et leur demander de vous livrer votre argent qui est déposé dans leur société, sous la garde de l'organisation de loterie Multi Lotto.

Cordialement,

Directeur de la société Multi Lotto.

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Gabrielle Bennett

Subject: Re: COMMENT VAS-TU AUJOURD'HUI?

Sent: Fri, 04 Apr 2025 12:31

Ola,

I am very sorry, but I do not speak Spanish, so I could not understand the email you sent me. Could I please ask you to send it to me again, but in English this time?

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gabrielle Bennett

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: WELCOME TO UN/UNDP COMPANY OFFICE GREECE

Sent: Sat, 05 Apr 2025 09:37

HELLO DEAR GILBERT MURRAY,

Your message has been received and well understood, and this message is to bring to your notice that your email address won the sum of $1,700,000,00 dollars only (ONE MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS) in Our Lottery Company MULTI LOTTO this month.

After our general meeting this morning with the Greece authorities, we decided that you will receive your funds $1,700,000,00 dollars by MoneyGram accepting the total amount on MoneyGram Office in Greece and we reported to our MoneyGram Office Greece which the MoneyGram Money Transfer told us that your urgent attention is needed immediately.

I hope you can receive your funds $1,700,000,00 USD through MoneyGram Office Money Transfer in your country: because you need to contact our MoneyGram Office, Mr Dennis Wilde, the Director of our MoneyGram Office Greece to receive your funds $1,700,000,00 USD.

I want you to know that our MONEYGRAM OFFICE GREECE, you will be receiving your first daily payment of $4,500 dollars twice a day, which will be $9,000 dollars every day until you have a total of $1,700,000,00 dollars through MoneyGram Office Money Transfer.

Please, try your best to send your information to the MoneyGram Office in Greece.

Your full name ======

Your country ======

Your city ==========

Your age ==========

Your phone number ==========

Your home address ==========

Your passport copy or ID card copy ==========

MONEYGRAM POST OFFICE FROM GREECE,

From Director Mr Dennis Wilde

Phone Number: +30 xxx xxx xxxx

Email Address: xxx@hotmail.com

As soon as you contact them let me know.

Good luck and remain blessed.

Regards,

Mrs Gabrielle Bennett

From: Gabrielle Bennett

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: WELCOME TO UN/UNDP COMPANY OFFICE GREECE

Sent: Sat, 05 Apr 2025 11:33

As soon as you contact with your information details to Mr Dennis Wilde, the Director of our MoneyGram Office in Greece, please let me know.

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Gabrielle Bennett

Subject: Surely this cannot be right?

Sent: Tue, 08 Apr 2025 20:26

Dear Mrs Bennett,

Surely this cannot be right? I don't remember even entering a lottery.

Although come to think of it, I may have bought a raffle ticket last month at the Saint Bodkin's spring fair. Could that be it? If it is, I'm very surprised that the prizes are so generous: I thought the top prize for the raffle was a £25 voucher to be spent at the village shop, not 1.7 million dollars.

Are you sure you have the right person here?

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gabrielle Bennett

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: Surely this cannot be right?

Sent: Sat, 08 Apr 2025 21:59

DEAR: GILBERT MURRAY,

Your message has been received and understood. We have deposited your 1.7 million dollars at the MoneyGram Office in Greece to transfer it to you, not £25. I hope you can receive your money via the MoneyGram Office Money Transfer in your Country.

If you have not yet contacted our MoneyGram Office in Greece to receive your daily payment of 4,500 dollars twice a day, which will be 9,000 dollars every day until you have a total of 1,700,000,00 dollars, please do your best to contact the MoneyGram Office in Greece.

Try to send your information to the MoneyGram Office Money Transfer.

Your full name:

Your country:

Your city:

Your age:

Your phone number:

Your home address:

Your passport copy or ID card copy:

MONEYGRAM POST OFFICE FROM GREECE,

From Director Mr Dennis Wilde

Phone Number: +30 xxx xxx xxxx

Email Address: xxx@hotmail.com

If you contact Mr Dennis Wilde, the Director of our MoneyGram Office, please let me know.

I hope that all my explanations are clear.

Good luck and remain blessed.

Regards,

Mrs Gabrielle Bennett

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Gabrielle Bennett

Subject: Are you absolutely sure about this?

Sent: Sun, 13 Apr 2025 12:37

Dear Mrs Bennett,

Having spoken to my wife, I am still very confused by all this. She says that we definitely did buy a raffle ticket at the spring fair, but like me, she has no memory of the first prize being so large. She said that she was actually hoping to win the second prize: a nice bottle of liebfraumilch in a raffia basket.

Are you absolutely sure you're not confusing me with a different Gilbert Murray? There are a few of us in the village.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gabrielle Bennett

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: Are you absolutely sure about this?

Sent: Mon, 14 Apr 2025 10:40

HELLO DEAR MR GILBERT MURRAY,

This is to inform you that you are the owner of these funds of 1,700,000.00 dollars. Please open the attachment and you will see your winning money certificate to prove to you that I am not confusing you and I am telling you the truth. We have deposited your 1,700,000,00 dollars to the MoneyGram Office in Greece to be transferred to you.

You will need to send your information and your bank account details when your funds 1,700,000,00 dollars can be transferred to you.

Your full name:

Your country:

Your city:

Your age:

Your phone number:

Your home address:

Your bank account details:

Your passport copy or ID card copy:

MONEYGRAM POST OFFICE FROM GREECE,

From Director Mr Dennis Wilde

Phone Number: +30 xxx xxx xxxx

Email Address: xxx@hotmail.com

Please, immediately you contact let me know.

I hope that all my explanations are clear.

Good luck and remain blessed.

Regards,

Mrs Gabrielle Bennett

A fake certificate indicating that Gilbert Murray has won a lottery

A fake certificate indicating that Gilbert has won a lottery

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Gabrielle Bennett

Subject: Thank you for clearing things up

Sent: Mon, 14 Apr 2025 15:57

Dear Mrs Bennett,

Thank you for sending me that certificate. That certainly helps to clear things up a little. Although I have to say, I do still find the whole thing rather confusing. Given that I bought a ticket at the local church's spring fair, I don't really understand why the certificate you sent me seems to have come from a lottery company in Wyoming, or why you have sent my winnings all the way to Greece. Is this just the way things are done with lotteries? I've never won one before, so all this is very new to me.

My wife Elizabeth is also rather confused about things. And she keeps on asking me what we want all that money for, when we already have more than enough in the bank to provide us both with a very comfortable retirement. We are both retired, you see. Have I mentioned that already?

Anyway, Elizabeth keeps on telling me that she would rather have won the bottle of liebfraumilch in a wicker basket. I've told her that she will be able to buy as many bottles of liebfraumilch as she likes with the winnings, but she says that the wicker basket was an especially nice one. Elizabeth can get rather fixated on things sometimes, bless her.

Do you think the lottery company might be kind enough to throw in a wicker basket? Perhaps they could present our winning cheque in a wicker basket. That would make Elizabeth so happy.

I must go: it is time to take my medication. I do get a little confused sometimes, and the medication really does help. When I remember to take it, that is.

Perhaps you could get back to me and let me know what I need to do to claim these winnings? Will there be a bit of a ceremony, with an oversized cheque being handed over by a celebrity? Perhaps it could be that nice Mr o'Grady? You know, the one with the dogs. That would make Elizabeth happy. Or is he dead now? Anyway, please get back to me and let me know.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gabrielle Bennett

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: Thank you for clearing things up

Sent: Mon, 14 Apr 2025 21:47

I have received your message, do your best to send your information and your bank account details to Mr Dennis Wilde, the Director of our MoneyGram Office Money Transfer.

Your full name:

Your country:

Your city:

Your age:

Your phone number:

Your home address:

Your bank account details:

Your passport copy or ID card copy:

MONEYGRAM POST OFFICE FROM GREECE,

From Director Mr Dennis Wilde

Phone Number +30 xxx xxx xxxx

Email Address xxx@hotmail.com

Good luck and remain blessed.

Regards,

Mrs Gabrielle Bennett

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Dennis Wilde

Subject: Regarding my recent lottery win

Sent: Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:16

Dear Mr Wilde,

Kalimari (as I believe you say in Greece).

Firstly, I hope you are able to understand this email. I must apologise, but I do not speak Greek. If you do find anything difficult to understand, please let me know and I will try to write in more simple English.

One of your colleagues, a delightful woman called Gabrielle Bennett, has asked me to write to you about my recent lottery win. As you probably know, my wife and I bought a raffle ticket at the village's recent spring fair, and it would seem as if we have struck lucky (even though my wife insists that she would rather have won the bottle of liebfraumilch in a raffia basket, bless her).

As you will know, I have won 1.7 million dollars - an amount that is not to be sniffed at, I'm sure you would agree - but Mrs Bennett was talking about transferring the money to me in dribs and drabs of 9,000 dollars twice a day or something like that. I have to admit that I found it all rather confusing. Hopefully you will be able to clear things up for me. To be honest, I would much rather receive the amount in one go. That seems simpler to me. I hope that you will be able to arrange that?

Given the fact that you are in Greece and I am in England, how will this work? Will the cheque for my winnings be handed over in this country or in Greece? I hope I don't have to travel over to Greece for it, because I don't have a passport. I haven't had one being overcharged in a restaurant in Benidorm back in 1987 and I swore never to go abroad on holiday again. There's no need to, really: there is so much to see in this country. Who needs Benidorm when we have Bognor Regis?

But I digress. I would very much appreciate it if you could get back to me with details of how I will receive my winnings.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Dennis Wilde

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: MONEYGRAM OFFICE GREECE

Sent: Wed, 16 Apr 2025 07:28

WELCOME TO MONEYGRAM OFFICE IN GREECE

DEAR MR GILBERT MURRAY,

This is MoneyGram Office International Inc. branch in Greece and we are contacting you because of your funds $1,700,000,00 USD which is under our custody to transfer to you and after our meeting this morning in our office in Greece we decided that you will receive your $1,700,000,00 USD through your bank account not through cheque.

I want to let you know that you will not receive your winnings through cheque, you will receive it through your bank account. I hope you will receive your winnings funds of $1,700,000,00 USD through your bank account. Because you must provide us with your bank account details where your winnings funds of $1,700,000,00 USD will be transferred immediately without any delay.

You don't have to come to Greece because we will transfer your winnings funds of $1,700,000,00 USD through your bank account in your country England. Therefore you should make every effort to send us your bank account details so that your winnings funds of $1,700,000,00 USD can be transferred to you immediately.

You will first receive your first daily payment of $4,500 USD followed by another $4,500 USD so you will have $9,000 USD each day until you have a total of $1,700,000,00 USD through your bank account. Please try your best to send us your information details and your bank account details.

Your full name ::::::::::::::::::::::

Your country :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your city :::::::::::::::::::::::

Your age ::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your home address ::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your address ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your phone number ::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your bank name ::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your bank address ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your bank account number :::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your recipient name ::::::::::::::::::::::

Your passport copy or ID card copy ::::::::::::::::::::::

I hope that all my explanations are clear and understandable.

I will wait to receive your information and your bank account.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mr Dennis Wild

Director of Foreign Translations

MoneyGram Office Greece of the World Nation

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Dennis Wilde

Subject: A few questions about my recent lottery win

Sent: Wed, 16 Apr 2025 12:09

Dear Mr Wilde,

Kalimari.

Thank you so much for getting back to me. I have to admit, I am only just starting to appreciate the scale of my lottery win: it has taken some time to sink in. It really is the most marvellous piece of luck!

Before I go any further, could you please clarify the spelling of your surname? Mrs Bennett told me that you were called "Dennis Wilde" - and that is how I have addressed you - but you have signed yourself off as "Dennis Wild". I would hate to offend you unintentionally by getting your name wrong. Please believe me when I say that offending you unintentionally is the last thing I wish to do.

I am so pleased to see that your English is so good. There was me, thinking I would have to converse with you in Greek. That would have been most difficult. I had been thinking of asking Stavros, who runs a kebab shop in the village, if he could help me out with any language difficulties. Do you think it may be an idea for me to get in touch with him anyway, just in case? He's a jolly nice chap and makes the most excellent kebabs. He may be able to help.

But I digress. While I am happy to hear that I will not need to travel to Greece to collect my winnings, I have to admit that my wife and I are extremely disappointed that we will not be receiving our winnings in the form of one of those massively oversized cheques, presented by a smiling celebrity. Elizabeth is especially disappointed: she says that she was so looking forward to meeting someone like that nice Mr o'Grady, or that lovely Mr Winton over a glass or two of champagne. Or preferably liebfraumilch: Elizabeth is not too fond of champagne, as she finds that the bubbles get up her nose and make her sneeze. Not that either of us should drink a lot of any kind of alcohol: it doesn't go well with our medication. Are you a drinking man, Mr Wilde?

Anyway, could I not ask you to reconsider, Mr Wilde? Surely a little ceremony in England to celebrate my amazing win would not be out of the question? Perhaps down in London, at one of those swanky hotels? Is that not how these things are usually done?

I really do think that would be for the best: Elizabeth and I would much rather receive our winnings in that way. If you make out one of those oversized cheques to me, then make arrangements for the ceremony to take place at some point in the next couple of weeks, then I can simply pay the cheque into my bank after the ceremony.

I have often wondered how people pay those huge cheques into their banks, as it happens: they look too big to fit under the security screens in my local branch. I expect I will need to make special arrangements with the manager, Nat West. Should I contact him now and get things moving? I could pop into the the nearest town tomorrow and have a word with him. Would that be a good idea?

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Dennis Wilde

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: MONEYGRAM OFFICE GREECE MONEY TRANSFER

Sent: Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:16

WELCOME TO MONEYGRAM OFFICE IN GREECE

DEAR MR GILBERT MURRAY,

Your message has been received and well understood, My full name is Mr Dennis Wilde. Please note that we don't speak English in our country, Greece here. I try to speak English. I hope my English is not bad. And I don't smoke or drink anything. I only drink bottled water and I hate drinking and smoking in this life.

Do you have a Bitcoin wallet account or a PayPal account? Please if you have it try to send it so that your winnings can be transferred to you via your Bitcoin wallet account or a PayPal account. However, if you do not have Bitcoin or PayPal, you can provide us with your bank account details so that the money can be transferred directly to your account.

Because we have finished every arrangement concerning your winnings money and I assure you wholeheartedly that your funds of $1,700,000,00 USD will surely be transferred to you directly through your bank account or your bitcoin wallet account and your PayPal account to anyone you make available to me.

What is delaying you to send us your information please try to send us your information details and your bank account details immediately.

Your full name ::::::::::::::::::::::

Your country :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your city :::::::::::::::::::::::

Your age ::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your home address ::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your address ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your phone number ::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your bank name ::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your bank address ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your bank account number :::::::::::::::::::::::::

Your recipient name ::::::::::::::::::::::

I will wait to receive your confirmation.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mr Dennis Wilde

Director of Foreign Translations

MoneyGram Office Greece of the World Nation

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Dennis Wilde

Subject: Elizabeth definitely wants the cheque to be presented at a winning ceremony

Sent: Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:15

Dear Mr Wilde,

Kalimari.

Firstly, there is no need whatsoever to apologise for your English; it is excellent. I only wish I spoke another language as fluently as you seem to speak English. Given that Greek is your first language, there is no wonder you mis-spelled your own surname. Translating one's thoughts into another language must be very taxing, and I appreciate your efforts.

Now it is my turn to apologise to you: I am very sorry, but I found your email very confusing. In my last email, I asked you to arrange for my winnings to be given me in the form of a cheque, and for to arrange a nice little winning ceremony at which the cheque can be formally presented to me by a celebrity. But now you're talking about Bitcoin and PayPal and lots of other things that I don't know anything about. What is a Bitcoin wallet? I have a nice leather wallet, not one made of Bitcoin, whatever that is.

I mentioned to that nice Mrs Bennett that my wife Elizabeth can get rather fixated on things, and now she is utterly fixated on the idea of a winning ceremony. She knows a little about these things, you see: her older sister had an extremely large lottery win some fifteen years ago - she was kind enough to pass a spare couple of million pounds our way, which is how we are funding our retirement - and she had a ceremony at which an oversized cheque was handed to her by a celebrity. I think it was that nice Mr Winton, although I could be wrong. And Elizabeth wants exactly the same, which I don't think is unreasonable of her.

She's dead now.

I mean Elizabeth's sister, of course, not Elizabeth. Elizabeth is very much not dead, and she very much wants a ceremony like her sister had. Surely that is not too much to ask, Mr Wilde?

Are Winton and o'Grady too busy? Is that the problem? If that's the case, we don't mind if the cheque is handed over by another celebrity. Provided it's not that dreadful man McGuinness who seems to be everywhere at the moment. I mean Paddy, of course, not Martin. Well, he's dead now too. I mean Martin, of course, not Paddy. Oh, look what you've done, Mr Wilde: you've gone and made me confuse myself now.

This is all getting too much for me, Mr Wilde. Will you please arrange for a ceremony for me and Elizabeth and get back to us with the details? This is all most vexing.

Before I go to take my medication, you asked for some details from me. Here they are:

Your full name: Gilbert Arnold Murray

Your country: United Kingdom

Your city: I do not live in a city

Your age: 73

Your home address: Hemlock Cottage, Cold Harbour Lane, Gypping in the Marsh, Lincolnshire, UK

Your address: See above

Your phone number: We do not have a telephone

Your bank name: Bartletts Bank PLC

Your bank address: 14, Slocombe Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire

Your bank account number: 74053275

Your recipient name: Gilbert Arnold Murray

I am planning to pop into town tomorrow. I will put my head around the door and see if I can have a word with my bank manager about all this, to make sure I will be able to pay the oversized cheque into my account without any problems.

Having got that out of the way, I am going to take my medication and have a lie down. Hopefully that will help to clear my head after you have confused me so much.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Dennis Wilde

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: MONEYGRAM OFFICE GREECE MONEY TRANSFER

Sent: Thu, 17 Apr 2025 02:09

DEAR MR GILBERT ARNOLD MURRAY,

We hereby inform you that we do not speak English. I try to speak a little English and we have received your information details and your bank account details. Where your winnings funds of $1,700,000,00 USD will be transferred to you directly into your bank account that you provided to us.

Please note that we cannot transfer your $1,700,000,00 USD winnings using the cheque you mentioned. And you have already provided us with your bank account information. So that your winnings of $1,700,000,00 USD can be transferred to you promptly and without delay.

I would like to inform you about the bank account information you provided. We will first transfer you your first daily payment of $4,500 USD followed by another $4,500 USD so you will have $9,000 USD each day until you have a total of $1,700,000,00 USD through your bank account you provided.

We have made all arrangements regarding your winnings and you will receive your winnings funds of $1,700,000,00 USD directly into your bank account. Please confirm your account immediately and get back to me.

YOUR BANK NAME: BARTLETTS BANK PLC

YOUR BANK ADDRESS: 14, SLOCOMBE STREET, LINCOLN, LINCOLNSHIRE

YOUR BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER: 74053275

YOUR RECIPIENT NAME: GILBERT ARNOLD MURRAY

I hope that all my explanations are clear and understandable.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mr Dennis Wilde

Director of Foreign Translations

MoneyGram Office Greece of the World Nation

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Dennis Wilde

Subject: Elizabeth still insists on some form of ceremony

Sent: Thu, 17 Apr 2025 12:09

Dear Mr Wilde,

Kalimari.

I can confirm that the details I provided to you yesterday are correct.

I must say, Elizabeth and I are extremely disappointed to read that you are refusing to provide our winnings in the traditional way. I believe I may have mentioned to you before - or was it to the delightful Mrs Bennett? - that Elizabeth does tend to get fixated on things. She cannot help it, poor dear; it is down to her condition. And Elizabeth is fixated on the idea of having a presentation ceremony, at which our winnings are handed to us in the form of an oversized cheque, presented by a C-list celebrity. It is what her late sister had when she won the lottery, and it is what she wants.

I would like to suggest a compromise, Mr Wilde. If you want to transfer the money directly into my bank account, fair enough. But could you not at least arrange a ceremony at which a 'fake' cheque is handed to us by a celebrity - just for the look of the thing? It would make Elizabeth so happy.

I am not sure which C-list celebrities you tend to use for this kind of thing. May I suggest a few more options? We would be very happy with either Eammon Holmes or Anne Diamond from the GB News. Their careers aren't headed anywhere other than down right now, so I'm sure they would be happy to accept a bit of extra work for a few hours. Or perhaps that chap with the teeth and the tan who's had all that work done. I can't quite remember his name, but I'm sure you know who I mean.

Just as long as it's not that awful man McGuinness. Elizabeth can't bring herself to watch when he appears on the television set.

Right. That's settled then. I will agree for you to transfer the money directly into my bank account, which keeps you happy; and you will agree to put on a nice little ceremony for me and Elizabeth, at which a 'fake' oversized cheque is presented to us by a celebrity, which keeps Elizabeth happy. There. That wasn't too difficult, was it?

Now I must tell you Mr Wilde, with it being the Easter break, Elizabeth and I will be away for a few days. We are going to visit my younger brother for a long weekend. Therefore I will not be around until midway through next week and I will not be able to respond to any emails that you send until then.

But this should not be a problem. Now that you have my bank account details, you can start transferring my winnings. If you start transferring the money today - Thursday - that should mean that by the time I get back next week, I should have a good 50 or 60 thousand already in my bank account.

And in the meantime, while I am away, as well as getting those transfers started, you can busy yourself with arranging this ceremony. The devil finds work for idle hands to do, does he not? Or am I thinking of Morrissey?

Oh, another celebrity idea. How about that Rees-Mogg chap? He must have a bit of time on his hands nowadays, and while he may be a bit on the odd side (did you know he actually has relics in his basement?), Elizabeth is something of a fan of his. Has that television programme about him and his family made its way over to the Greek television networks yet? When it does, I can highly recommend it.

I do so hope that you and Mrs Bennett will be attending the ceremony yourselves, Mr Wilde. I am very much looking forward to thanking you both in person.

I shall be back in touch next week when I return.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Dennis Wilde

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND FOLLOW OUR INSTRUCTION

Sent: Thu, 17 Apr 2025 14:10

DEAR MR GILBERT ARNOLD MURRAY,

I will advise you to follow the instruction and make sure you receive your winning and you will need to pay required $890 USD to activate your details in (Our Bank Computer Office System), so that we can be able to transfer your daily payment of $4,500 USD followed by another $4,500 USD so you will have $9,000 USD each day until you have a total of $1,700,000,00 USD to your bank account you provided to me.

It is after we receive your payment of $890 USD that we will be able to activate your details immediately in (Our Bank Computer Office System), and once your payment of $890 USD has been confirmed, we will start the transfer of $4,500 USD followed by another $4,500 USD so you will have $9,000 USD each day until you have a total of $1,700,000,00 USD. Because we have finished every arrangement concerning this transfer.

Once we finish activating your details in (Our Bank Computer Office System), you will receive your first daily payment of $4,500 USD followed by another $4,500 USD so you will have $9,000 USD each day until you have a total of $1,700,000,00 USD to your bank account. Therefore you should make every effort to send the required $890 USD.

I hope that all my explanations are clear and understandable.

If you return next week as you said please let me know so I can send you the information to pay the required $890 USD.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mr Dennis Wilde

Head of Foreign Language Translations

MoneyGram World Nation Greece Office

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Dennis Wilde

Subject: I am most disappointed in you

Sent: Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:12

Dear Mr Wilde,

Kalimari.

I have returned from my Easter break, and I am sorry to have to say that I am most disappointed in you.

I thought we had agreed last week that in my absence, you would start transferring my lottery winnings into my bank account on a daily basis. And yet when I checked my bank balance yesterday, expecting to find myself richer to the tune of 50 or 60 thousand dollars, I discovered that no money whatsoever had been transferred into it.

Why the delay? What are you playing at?

And as if that were not enough, my recollection is that you agreed to arrange a presentation ceremony for me and Elizabeth, at which a 'fake' oversized cheque will be presented to us by a celebrity. But no details of this have been forthcoming.

This is simply not good enough, Mr Wilde. I can only assume that you are new to this business. Can I ask you to please pull your finger out and set the wheels in motion?

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Dennis Wilde

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: FOLLOW OUR INSTRUCTION

Sent: Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:51

DEAR MR GILBERT ARNOLD MURRAY,

We have received your email, I want you to know and understand that I am telling you every truth about this transaction, and there is never a way I can lie to you, I still write to you because the total of $1,700,000,00 USD under our custody belongs to you and I was mandated to make sure that you receive your winnings funds of $1,700,000,00 USD to your bank account.

You need to pay the required $890 USD. Because we need to activate your details in (Our Bank Computer Office System), and if we didn't activate your details in (Our Bank Computer Office System), you cannot receive your daily payment of $4,500 USD followed by another $4,500 USD so you will have $9,000 USD each day until you have a total of $1,700,000,00 USD to your bank account.

Please try to understand me and follow the instructions and make sure you pay the required $890 USD today. So that we can activate your details and start sending you your daily payment of $4,500 USD. Because if you don't pay the required $890 USD we cannot activate your details for you to receive your winnings funds of $1,700,000,00 USD to your bank account.

Once we receive your payment of $890 USD today, we will be able to activate your details immediately in (Our Bank Computer Office System), after we have completed activating your details in (Our Bank Computer Office System), you will start receiving your daily payment of $4,500 USD followed by another $4,500 USD so you will have $9,000 USD each day until you have a total of $1,700,000,00 USD to your bank account.

We are no more happy the way you are delaying this transaction because we are done with all the processes concerning this transfer, this payment of $890 USD is honestly the only thing delaying your daily payment of $4,500 USD followed by another $4,500 USD so you will have $9,000 USD each day until you have a total of $1,700,000,00 USD to your bank account.

Because we have finished every arrangements concerning your transfer and I assure you wholeheartedly that your first daily payment of $4,500 USD followed by another $4,500 USD so you will have $9,000 USD each day until you have a total of $1,700,000,00 USD will surely be transferred to you once your payment of $890 USD is been confirmed today.

Therefore, you should make every effort to send the required $890 USD today. So that we can activate your details immediately and start sending you your daily payment of $4,500 USD followed by another $4,500 USD so you will have $9,000 USD each day until you have a total of $1,700,000,00 USD to your bank account.

I hope that all my explanations are clear and understandable.

I want you to know that that your delay can never help us over this transaction.

We look forward to your urgent reply so that I can send you the bank account to make the payment of $890 USD today.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mr Dennis Wilde

Head of Foreign Language Translations

MoneyGram World Nation Greece Office

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Dennis Wilde

Subject: You seem to be a tad confused

Sent: Fri, 25 Apr 2025 08:47

Dear Mr Wilde,

Kalimari.

I have just read the email you sent to me yesterday. I know that I have a tendency to get confused about things every now and again - a combination of my age and my condition, unfortunately - but I have to say, my dear fellow, that it seems to be you who are a tad confused in this instance.

If I read your email correctly, you seem to be suggesting that I need to send some money to you. Surely you have this the wrong way round, Mr Wilde? Surely it is you that should be sending money to me? I did wonder whether you were new to this business. Or is it perhaps the fact that Greek, rather than English, is your first language, that is confusing things?

I understand completely that using a second language - or perhaps even a third language, going by the way you compose your emails - can be jolly difficult. Well let me help you, my dear chap. I will put this as simply as I can - in language that even a small child would understand - to ensure that you will be able to comprehend it:

I am the lo-tte-ry wi-nner. You work for the lo-tte-ry com-pa-ny. I have won mo-ney. You have not won mo-ney. It is your job to send mo-ney to me. Not the o-ther way round.

I do hope that has helped to get things clear in your head, Mr Wilde. Now that we have resolved that little misunderstanding, could I please ask that you start transferring the money across immediately? You have my bank account details. Now use them.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

PS. I note that there is still no news on the presentation ceremony. I presume you are still making arrangements. If you are still finding it difficult to pin down a celebrity, might I suggest that nice chap Mr Fabricant? I have a feeling he may have a bit of time on his hands right now. He would be an acceptable choice to me and Elizabeth - provided you could guarantee that he would comport himself in a suitable manner.

From: Dennis Wilde

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: You have to pay the $890 USD before we can transfer your winnings funds of $1,700,000,00 USD to you

Sent: Fri, 25 Apr 2025 12:45

DEAR MR GILBERT ARNOLD MURRAY,

How are you doing today and your family? Your message has been received and well understood, I still write to you because the total of $1,700,000,00 USD under our custody belongs to you and I want you to know that you have to pay the required $890 USD as I have explained to you before we can start the transfer of your winnings funds of $1,700,000,00 USD to your bank account and without any delay.

I want you to know that we are no more happy the way you are delaying this transaction because we are done with all the processes concerning this transfer, this payment of $890 USD is honestly the only thing delaying your transfer right now because we have finished every arrangements concerning your transfer and I assure you wholeheartedly that your winnings funds of $1,700,000,00 USD will surely be transferred to you once your payment of $890 USD is been confirmed.

This payment of $890 USD is just to activate your details in Our Bank Computer System, to enable us to start sending your daily payment of $4,500 USD followed by another $4,500 USD so you will have $9,000 USD each day until you have a total of $1,700,000,00 USD. I argue you to try everything possible to send the required $890 USD today so that we can begin the transfer of your winnings funds of $1,700,000,00 USD to your bank account you provide to me.

It is after we receive your payment of $890 USD today we will be able to activate your details immediately in Our Bank Computer System. After we have completed activating your details in Our Bank Computer System, you will begin to receive your daily payment of $4,500 USD followed by another $4,500 USD so you will have $9,000 USD each day until you have a total of $1,700,000,00 USD.

I want to tell you now that I do not like how you are delaying us in starting the process of transferring your $1,700,000,00 USD winnings to your bank account.

I am waiting for your response so that I can send you the bank account details you will use to go to your bank and pay the required $890 USD today.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mr Dennis Wilde

Head of Foreign Language Translations

MoneyGram World Nation Greece Office

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Dennis Wilde

Subject: It is you, not I, who are delaying things

Sent: Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:32

Dear Mr Wilde,

Kalimari.

How am I doing today and my family? Having read your astonishing email, Mr Wilde, not well. Not well at all.

How dare you accuse me of delaying things? It is you, not I, who are delaying things, Mr Wilde. I won this money fair and square some weeks ago, but you seem to be doing everything you can to avoid having to transfer my winnings to me. And what is all this poppycock about me having to transfer money to you, when it should be the other way round?

I am starting to wonder whether you have any intention whatsoever of transferring my winnings to me. I am starting to think that perhaps you mean to keep this money for yourself, Mr Wilde. That is certainly how things are looking to me.

I am not a happy man, Mr Wilde. I am not happy at all. This is my money. It is not yours. Stop delaying things. Get your grubby hands out of the till and transfer my winnings to me immediately.

I shall be contacting that nice Mrs Bennett, to see if she can help move things along here. The way you have been behaving, I am considering making a formal complaint against you. I am not impressed. I am not impressed at all.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Gabrielle Bennett

Subject: I would like to complain about Mr Wilde

Sent: Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:43

Dear Mrs Bennett,

I trust that this email finds you well.

I am emailing to complain about Mr Wilde, the so-called 'Head of Foreign Language Translations' that you asked me to contact to arrange the transfer of my lottery winnings.

I have been severely unimpressed with the way Mr Wilde has been handling this business. He seems to be doing everything in his power to delay having to transfer my winnings to me. He is making no progress whatsoever in arranging a presentation ceremony, and he is spouting some egregious poppycock about me having to transfer money to him, rather than the other way round.

Given the way he has been delaying things, I am starting to wonder whether the man is planning to keep my winnings for himself, Mrs Bennett. Between the two of us, I do not trust him as far as I could throw him.

Is there perhaps someone else at your end who could handle the arrangements for getting my winnings to me? I would very much appreciate it if you could put an end to Mr Wilde's involvement in this affair, and instead put me in touch with someone more honest and competent.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Wishing you a pleasant weekend.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

To be continued...