Liberia, Aug. 14 -- A Canadian retiree's search for African gold turned into a months-long con involving fake shipping companies, a phony "minister," strongbox theater, and a scheme so elaborate he compares it to "an academy award performance."

By Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafrica.com

Monrovia - Gerry Pettle wants one thing understood before anything else: he isn't writing to embarrass himself."I am writing you on the advice of two friends of your country," the 71-year-old Canadian says in a note to FrontPageAfrica explaining why he's going public, "and not necessarily in agreement to make this complaint a public humiliation of myself." He calls himself "a Canadian, born young fellow at the age of 71" - a wry touch from a man ...