Stupid Punts!

Stupid Punts!

Text

Examples of the "Nigerian scam" that flood my email box everyday.

Friday, May 28, 2004

An aide of Charles Taylor (former President of Liberia) has contacted me.

He offers me the chance to "earn" 20% of $10M. This money allegedly belongs to Taylor and, needless to say, is stored in a crate!

The aide wants me to invest the money in anything I wish, how trusting! They will then pay me my 20%.

Look guys do you really think that I am that stupid?

One more thing, if you claim to be based in Africa; then use an African email address, not one from Europe!

Attn:Sir/Maddam


Reply to:

I am Abu Sadiq an aide in Ghana to former President Charles Taylor of Liberia.He
has since resign from active politics to settled down in Nigeria,but he will
want to have a trusted foreign business partner that he can invest substential
amount of money in his or her country.He has given me the mandate to scout for
that reliable partner,like you.

I am contacting you due to the present situation in Liberia (Civil War), and
also the aspect of investment in your country.My boss,President Charles Taylor
who has mandated me to urgently look for a foreign partner with good business
experience to help us immediately move and receive an exact amount of US$10.5
million dollars out of Ghana into any account of yours, the account required
for this project can either be personal, company or an offshore account that you
have total control over.Your area of
specialization will not be a hindrance to the successful execution of this
transaction.

This fund was brought into Ghana for investment purpose through diplomatic means
and has since been deposited in a private security and finance company and was
tagged an official consignment belonging to a foreign affiliate and placed in a
crate and tagged antique, thereby making the consignment safe and the actual
content undisclosed to the security company.

All I want you to do is to receive the said amount in your name and invest it on
behalf of my boss family who shall be a partner ( under anonymity in whatever
business venture you intend investing the money on. All documentation regarding
this transaction are all in my possession and a power of attorney to transact
this business has been fully given to me by my boss.

In the light of the above,I am soliciting your assistance and partnership to
move this fund out of Ghana as you and I stand to benefit immensely from this
transaction.After due consultation and approval from my boss, we have both
agreed that 20 % of the fund will be given to you for your assistance,while the
remaining 80% will be for investment purpose in any country of your choice.
Please contact me if you are able to carry out this transaction.Please your
reply should include your confidential phone number.Yours

Faithfully,

Abu Sadiq.

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

It would appear the both God, and the Ivoirean chamber of commerce and industry, have recommended me to Mr Ibuh.

It seems that he received a list of "reputable" persons such as myself, from the Ivoirean chamber of commerce and industry, he then prayed over them for a bit; and God said "pick Ken, he's your man".

His father, oddly enough, was not involved with diamonds or gold but cocoa. This also seems to be a business fraught with danger, for the old man was poisoned.

Leaving his son with $7M, which he wants me to put in a bank account for him.

He claims that the entire matter could be concluded within 7 days. Yes, that would be about the length of time that they would need for them to fleece my bank account.

It is a con! You have been warned.

From : CHRISTIAN IBUH.

Abidjan, Ivory Coast West Africa

APPEAL FOR URGENT ASSISTANCE.

My Dear,

Permit me to inform you of my desire of going into business relationship with you. I got your name and contact from the Ivoirean chamber of commerce and industry (internet department).

I prayed over it and selected your name among other names due to its esteeming nature and the recommendations given to me as a reputable and trust worthy person that I can do business with and by the recommendation , I must not hesitate to confide in you for this simple and sincere business .

I am CHRISTIAN IBUH the only son of late Mr.and Mrs. DIKKO IBUH. My father was a very wealthy cocoa merchant in Abidjan , the economic capital of Ivory coast, my father was poisoned to death by his business associates on one of their outings on business .


My mother died when I was a baby and since then my father took me so special. Before the death of my father on December 2002 in a private hospital here in Abidjan he secretly called me on his bed side and told me that he has the sum of (seven million,five hundred thousand United State Dollars). USD($ 7.500,000) left in fixed deposit account in one of the prime bank here in Abidjan ,that he used my name as his only son for the next of Kin in depositing of the fund. He also explained to me that it was because of this wealth that he was poisoned by his business associates. That I should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice where i will transfer this money and use it for investment purpose.

Dear, I am honourably seeking your assistance in the following ways:

(1) To provide a bank account into which this money would be transferred to .
(2) To serve as a guardian of this fund since I am only 22years.
(3) To make arrangement for me to come over to your country to further my education because my father advice me to make sure that I finished my education before joinng any business venture.and also to secure a resident permit in your country.
Moreover, sir I am willing to offer you 15% of the total sum as compensation for your effort/ input after the successful transfer of this fund into your nominated account overseas.

Furthermore,please indicate your options towards assisting me as I believe that this
transaction would be concluded within seven (7) days you signify your interest to assist me.
Anticipating to hear from you soon.

Thanks and God bless.

Best regards, CHRISTIAN IBUH

NB: Please reply back through my private email





Sunday, May 23, 2004

Another letter from someone claiming to be the Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy of South Africa, they seem to have of lot of Ministers there!

Her husband died, and she discovered (much to her surprise!) that he had around $18M derived from diamonds and other illicit sources.

She needs to access the money, which is held in Belgium, so she wants me to pretend to be a business associate of her late hubby.

This little ruse is required, because her lawyer would quite naturally be concerned about her entering into a transaction with someone she "hardly knows".

Well that reasoning works both ways madam, I think I will decline your kind and dishonest offer.



Greetings to you,

With warm heart I offer my friendship, and greetings, and I hope this mail meets
you in good time. However
strange or surprising this contact might seem to you as we have not met
personally or had any dealings in
the past, I humbly ask that you take due consideration of its importance and the
immense benefit it will be
to you.

After careful consideration with my children, we resolved to contact you for
your most needed assistance in this manner. I duly apologize for infringing on
your privacy, if this contact is not acceptable to you, as I make this proposal
to you as a person of integrity.

First and foremost I wish to introduce myself properly to you. My name is Mrs.
Susan Shabangu, mother of three and the Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy
of The Republic of South Africa for seven years running.

I will now give you a general overview of the situation. When I was sworn in as
Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy in 1996, with my influence, my husband
Mr. Ndelebe Shabangu a very successful
businessman was awarded several contracts in my ministry and had direct dealings
with foreign investors in this field. Due to my political status, I was not
involved in my husband's business which was very vast and successful. My beloved
husband died whilst on an official trip to Trinidad and Tobago in February 2001.

When my husband died, I was contacted as next of kin by a private security firm
in Europe to come forth with the Certificate of Deposit and claim a safety
deposit my husband has in their Vault in his name. At
that time, my children and I did not have an idea where the Certificate might
be. We then instructed the security firm to continue holding the safety
deposit until further instructions from me. Whilst preparing
for the second remembrance of my beloved husband, I was going through his
library collection and to my astonishment I discovered a Certificate of
Deposit for the safety deposit with this private security firm, and
other documents relating to the safety deposit in a book. The safety deposit
which is a trunk, is stocked with hard currency (US Dollars)totalling
$18,500,000 which was generated from cash payments from his business
associates in the diamond trade from Antwerp, Belgium.

Though I knew my late husband was in the diamond business, I did not have the
knowledge that he moved funds in cash. This has came as a shock to me and my
children, and we have decided to have this fund invested immediately in
commercial and residential properties abroad as well as profitable ventures, as
any member of my family cannot hold such a huge amount in our name due to my
political status, hence we sincerely propose to you to render us your most
needed assistance in this regard.

If you agree to render us your assistance, your role in this project will be to
act on my behalf as a trustee to receive the safety deposit containing the funds
from the Security firm. Though I believe this transaction should be based on
mutuality, my family's interest will be protected by a family associate, who is
a lawyer(attorney) attached to the South African Embassy in the country where
the security firm is located.
He is now aware of the safety deposit, and I have informed him that I am
locating one of my husband's business associates (you) to handle the funds and
invest on our behalf, as he might be opposed to our decision if he found out
that I barely know you.

For your reliable assistance, we are offering you 15 %($2,775,000) of the funds.
I thank you in advance we anticipate your assistance in enabling us achieve this
goal. On hearing from you, I will forward your contact to the
gentleman lawyer who will be representing us, and also give you his contact for
both of you to communicate and proceed with the transaction.

He will be working with you for a mutual conclusion of the process and I look
forward to a long lasting business relationship with you. As you may
understand, due to my sensitive position in the present government,
it is not safe to communicate with me via phone or fax.

This is why I have communicated with you with my private email address, and I
like us to keep this way, for the safety of this transaction. Kindly respond on


Please contact me on my private email address; whether or not you are interested
in assisting us.
This will enable us make alternative plans, in the event of non-interest on your
part.

With warm regards,
MRS. SUSAN SHABANGU
Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy
South Africa

Thursday, May 20, 2004

Retribution

There is at least some justice being dished out to the perpetrators of the Nigerian scam letters.

It seems that a Sydney man has pleaded guilty to charges arising from a scam that raked in $5M.

I can't believe that people are that stupid, well I can actually.

Nick Marinellis sent unsolicited emails conning people into thinking they could claim millions of dollars in winnings, if they first sent money for expenses.

He used a number of aliases, I wonder if he has ever written to me?

He will appear in Sydney's District Court next month, where a sentence date will be set.

Monday, May 17, 2004

The reputable and honest Barrister Williams, solicitor and notary public, has just written to me.

He advises me that one of his clients, Mr Dennis President of Diamond Safaris, is dead (poor chap!).

There is of course a large sum of money left behind, $28M, and no will.

Barrister Williams has spent a long period of time (no he hasn't), trying to track down the next of kin of Mr Dennis.

To no avail, therefore rather than let the money (which doesn't exist) be taken by the government; he asks me to help him commit fraud by posing as the next of kin.

Rather oddly, for a barrister, he calls this "honest co-operation"?

Sorry chummy I don't do fraud!

Attention:,

Good day, I am George Williams, Solicitor and Notary Public, The
Personal Attorney Mr. Dennis , the president of DIAMOND SAFARIES
CO.LTD.ACCRA-GHANA who is a National of your country.

On the 21st of April 2004, my client, his wife and their only son were
Involved in a car accident along ACCRA/KUMASI Express Road.
Unfortunately, they all lost their lives in the event of the accident, since
then
I have made several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended
relatives and this has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his
Relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of his family but of
no avail, hence I contacted you.

I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left
Behind before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the
bank where my client lodged these huge deposits.

Particularly, the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at
about 28.3 million dollars. Consequently, the bank issued me a notice to
provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within a short
time. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over
some years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of
the deceased since you share the same surname so that the proceeds of
this account valued at 28.3 million dollars can be paid to you for both
of us to share the money; 55% to me and 40% to you, while 5% should be
for expenses or tax as your government may require. I have all
necessary legal documents that can be used to backup the claim.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal
Through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in
touch with me through my email to enable us discuss further.

Thanks for you kind co-operation

Barrister Williams Esq.

Sunday, May 16, 2004

FRAUD ALERT

Watch out, this email is doing the rounds at the moment (I got one 30 mins ago).

Do not, under any circumstances, give your details to this or any other bastard who asks for them.

This is a fraud.

I have reported it to Citi Bank.

To_verificcation of your E-MAIL adress_ click on-the-link :

http://go.msn.com/HML/5/6.asp?target=%48%74tp:%2f/yi5u393sf.com*9319%2E%64a.ru%2F?1l9b64d0y4rs885d2c0cNXV2JD3xh0t2j8h

and_submit_ in_the_ small window _your_ Citi*bank_ _Debit_ full_Card number and
Pin
that _you use in the Atm_Machine.



uMmBoP0mm167 7b8u6l6h4yhe2 c48m3no3i0nr kdn79w a7 2ey5l2v45ga F0fccCy2i0g

Another day, another lottery win

I have a feeling this lady has written to me before.

However, in this scam letter I am offered the chance to win up to $1.3BN; that's a lot of dosh!

Only one small snag, it doesn't exist.

The letter has a minor change to it; this time instead of saying there "has been a mix up with the numbers", they say "in order to avoid a mix up with the numbers".

Otherwise it is the same old "B****it".

Don't fall for it, it is a con.

FROM: THE LOTTERY COORDINATOR,
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD
DEPARTMENT
ATTENTION:THIRD CATEGORY WINNER
After a successful completion of the third category draws of SPORT LOTTERY, held
on 14TH MAY 2004, we are pleased to inform you of the official announcement
today that you have emerged one of the winners of the SPORT
LOTTERY/INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS, which is part of our promotional draws.
Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 25,000
names/email addresses of individuals and companies from Africa, America, Asia,
Australia, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and New Zealand as part of our
International Promotions Program.
You/Your company, attached to ticket number 714-5-9827, with serial number 14-83
drew the lucky numbers 03, 15, 23, 25, 35, 40, (30), and consequently won in the
Third Category.You have therefore been awarded a lump sum pay out of US$1,000
000.00 in cash, which is the winning payout for third category winners. This is
from the total prize money of US$5,700,000.00 shared among the three
international winners in the Third category.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Your fund is now deposited with FINANCIAL COMPANY, insured in your name. To
avoid mix up of numbers and names of any kind, we request that you keep this
award strictly from public notice until the entire process of transfering your
claims has been completed, and your funds remitted to your account. This is part
of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by
participants of this program.
We also wish to bring to your notice our end of year (2004) high stakes where
you stand a chance of winning up to US$1.3 billion, we hope that with a part of
your prize you will participate.
Please contact your claims agent immediately,to begin your claims process;
MR. PETER SIMON
CLAIMS DEPT. MANAGER
EMAIL:
For due processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated account of
your choice. Remember, you must contact your claims agent within a week of
recieving this mail.
NOTE: To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote
your reference and batch numbers provided below in every one of your
correspondence with your claims agent.
REFERENCE NUMBER: EG-A718-1
BATCH NUMBER: 224-DA
Congratulations once again from all our staff and thank you for being part of
our promotions program.
Sincerely yours,
MRS ANN COKER
THE LOTTERY COORDINATOR,
SPORT LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL.
N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result to
disqualification. Please do not reply to this mail. Contact your claims agent.



Saturday, May 15, 2004

That well known and "popular" couple, Mike and Mercy Williams wrote to me today.

Yes, I haven't heard of the either; they sound more like a pair of second rate evangelists.

Anyway, this nice couple want to share 10% of $9.5M with me; gosh that is nice of them!

Mike's daddy was Chief Vincent Williams, from Sierra Leone.

However, despite having a large sum of money the Williams family were to suffer a wee bit of bother.

Bodies piled up left right and centre; first daddy, then a plane load of uncles then his mother all "copped it".

Goodness me, what a mess!

Now dear old Mike wants to make sure that his sister gets a good education, that's where I come in.

Well Mike, the tears are welling up and I have had to wipe my keyboard dry as I blub uncontrollably; but I am afraid the small snag is, you are a liar and a conman. That kind of puts me off doing business with you.

Ciao!


From :Mike and Mercy
contacts Address
11 rue des lkd abidjan
07 abid 52498 07
Email :( )

Dear One,

Please I am Mike Williams , the only son of late CHIEF VINCENT WILLIAMS
from Sierra Leone. I got your contact from the Ecowas Infomation Center
in Côte d'Ivoire. My sources of your contact gave me the courage and confidence
to rely on you. I am writing you in absolute confidence primarily to seek
your assistance to transfer our cash of Nine Million five hundred thousand
United States Dollar($9.5,000,000.00) now in the custody of a BANK here
in Abidjan to your privateaccount pending our arrival to your country.

SOURCE OF THE MONEY
My late father, chief Vincent Williams, a native of mende district in the
Northern province of Sierra Leone, was the general Manager of Sierra Leone
mining co-operation (S.L.M.C.) Freetown. According to my father. This money
was the income accrued from mining co-operation's over draft and minor sales.
Before the peak of the civil war between the rebels forces of major Paul
Koroma and the combined forces of ECOMOG peace keeping operation that almost
destroyed my country, following the forceful removal from power of the Civilian
Elected President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah by the rebels. My father had already
made arrangement for his family, my mother, my little sister and myself
to be evacuated to Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire with our personal effects . My
father deposited the fund for the safe custody until after the war when
he will join us. During the war in my country, and following the indiscriminate
looting of public and Government properties by therebel forces, the sierra
Leone mining co-op was one of the targets looted and destroyed.

My father including other top Government functionaries were attacked and
killed by the rebels in November 2002 because of his relationship with the
civilian Government of Ahmed Tejan Kabbah. As a result of my father death,
and with the news of my uncles involvement in air crash in January, dashed
our hope of survival. The untimely deaths caused my
mothers heart failure and other related complications of which she later
died in the hospital After we must have spent a lot of money on her. Now
my 16-year-old sister and myself are alone in this strange country suffering
without any care or help. Without any relation, we are now like refugees
and orphans. Our only hope now is in the fund our father deposited in the
BANK. To this effect, I humbly solicit your assistance in the followings
ways.To assist me claim this fund from the BANK as co-beneficiary.

To transfer this money in your name to your country. To make a good arrangement
for a joint business investment on our behalf in your country with you as
the caretaker.To secure a college for my little sister and my self in your
country to further our education. And to make arrangement for our travel
to your country after you have transferred this fund.Most importantly. The
whole documents issued after deposit is in my custody. For your assistance,
I beg to concede 10% of this money to you for your assistance .

Best regards
MIKE AND MERCY WILLIAMS

Friday, May 14, 2004

Good News!, so the title of this email proudly boasts.

Unfortunately it is yet another Nigerian scam; this time it comes from a certain Mr Don Willy, who really needs to buy himself a dictionary.

Free Willy offers me the "compliment of the season" (!!!???), and writes that he is in a refugee camp in Ghana "studding" medicine.

His father and mother were killed in cold blood. However, they left him some boxes (why do these people always use boxes?) filled with diamonds, gold and money.

He estimates the total value to be $27M, in reality the value is zero.

Free Willy says that he got my name from a friend of mine..."B****cks!"

He will pay me 15% to aid him with the "modalities" of getting the boxes out of Ghana.

Thinking carefully through this fine business proposition my considered answer is "I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole".


Block A Room 27
UN Refugee Camp
Accra Ghana
THIS MY PHOME NUMBER

Dear S/M,



Good day compliment of the season first of all let me
make my self know to you a friend of you told me about
you concerning an assistant I needed from him he told
me to contact you and relies on you as a partner
abroad that why I sent you these urgent mail for
assistant.
My name is Don Willy a Liberian residing now in
Ghana, West Africa .My late father Joseph Willy was an American
origin. Being a prominent gold and Diamond dealer in my country
Liberia. He was assassinated in cold blood early last
year alongside with my mother by the rebels of (model)
fighting the legitimate Government in Liberia since
1992. I am a student at fur Lay bay college Liberia
studding medicine when the war began. My late father
deposited the sum of 27.6million USdollars as a
family wealth in a trust company here in Accra Ghana,
West Africa. This money was meant to be used to build
an ultra modern medical clinic for me after I have
completed my studies as qualified medical doctor but
the untimely death denied me the opportunity .It is
under this prejudices, now as the next of kin and only
child that to make claim of the ownership of the
money, the diamond and gold. Although the people at
the trust company are not aware of the contents of the
boxes. But I really need a reliably person outside
whom I can trust to move this money abroad whom will
subsequently help me to invest the money wisely and
the treasure, i.e. the gold and diamond while I go
back school to complete my education. I am soliciting
seeking for help and assistance from you. That is why
I am writing. I am also willing to give you `15% of
the total sum if you willing to assist me. In addition
I will equally deduct 5% after the transfer to cover
the expenses procured during the transaction to your
account abroad .If you can assist me. Please get back
to me promptly through my email so that we can discuss
on the modalities of making move. I equally insist
that you make it private and confidential matter.all
the Document are intact with me,You can also reach me
through this mail,
Thank,
Kind regard,
Don Willy

Monday, May 10, 2004

I received this email four times today, clearly Mr Ikell is very keen to do business with me.

The subject line was rather confusing, "I Need Your Assistant", I was not aware that I had anyone in my employ.

Disregarding Mr Ikell's failure to master basic grammar, he moves swiftly to the point.

His father is dead, he left $15M which resides in a bank account in Holland.

He wants me to access the account, and needs my details to move this "100% risk free" venture forward.

Sorry chum, try elsewhere.

My name is EDWARDS IKELL, the eldest son of Dr. ENAGUA IKELL from Zimbabwe. This
letter might come as a surprise to you about where I got your contact address
and how I knew you. I got your address from the net, and i decided to contact
you for an assistant, which I do hope you will take this matter into
consideration.
During the current war against the farmers in Zimbabwe from the supporters of
our
President Robert Mugabe to claim all the white-owned farms for his party members
and his followers, he ordered all white farmers to surrender all their farms to
his party members and his followers.
My father was one of the biggest farmers in our country and because he strongly
opposed Mugabe's ideas, Mugabe's supporters invaded my father's farm and burnt
everything in the farm, killing my father and made away with a lot of items in
my father's farm.
Before his death, my father had deposited with one Security Company in SOUTH
AFRICA, the sum of US$15.5 (Fifteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars). This was money he planned to use in buying new machinery and to set up
a new farm in Swaziland. After the death of my father, l decided to escape to
Netherlands because of continued harassment from Mugabe and his supporters.
As the senior man in the Family, l decided to contact you to assist me since
I was able to moved this money out of SOUTH AFRICA to Holland for safe keeping
although the courier comapny were not aware of the content of the suite case
because it was convey as personal valuable goods,
Presently the Fund is already in Holland, while I need to seek political asylum
to secure my staying here and we are not allowed to operate any bank account
within Netherlands. For your role in this transaction, me and my family have
agreed to offer you 25% of the total sum for your assistance, 5% will be mapped
out for any expenses that may be incurred in the course of this transaction and
70% will be for me and my family to invest in your country.
All I want you to do is to help me finish this transaction and the same time
help me to invest the money into a lucrative business in your country Please get
back to me if you can be of assistance and l would want our correspondence to
be via email as most phone lines of asylums seekers are presently bugged by
the Government.
l expect your confidentiality and your prompt respond to this email so as to
proceed.
Note that this transaction is 100% risk free. You should however treat this
transaction with absolute confidentiality.please forward your phone/fax numbers
and your address to my private Email address at
Thanks and God bless.
Best regards,
MR. EDWARDS IKELL

It seems that despite numerous warnings, people are still stupid and greedy enough to be "suckered" in by the Nigerian scam.

In 2002 Americans were conned out of over $100M.

How stupid can you be?

Friday, May 07, 2004

El Porko

I have won the El Gordo Spanish Sweepstake..so the email says; yeah right!

I have won $516K, but there has been a...wait for it..."mix up with the numbers".

Oh how I detest that phrase, and how I detest the scum who send out these scam emails.


EL GORDO SPANISH SWEEPSTAKE

LOTTERY S.A.

C/ CARRACA Nº11 PISO 1-A

08905 BARCELONA -SPAIN

TELEFAX:.

FROM: THE DESK OF MANAGING DIRECTOR

INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.

REF NO: EGS/0007459015/03

BATCH NO:17/7024/IPD


ATTENTION: .

RE:AWARD NOTIFICATION,FINAL NOTICE

WE are pleased to inform you of the release of the results of the EL GORDO
SWEEPSTAKE LOTTERY /INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM held on the 26th APRIL ,2004.SPANISH

Your name attached to ticket number 777-52104543-094 with serial number 3113-55
drew the lucky numbers 1-22-16-78-39-10 which consequently won the lottery in
the 3rd category.

You have therefore been approved for a lump sum payout of ¤515,810. 00 (FIVE
HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND TEN EUROS ONLY ) in cash credited
to file REFERENCE

NO:EGS/0007459015/03.This is from a total cash prize of ¤8,768,770.00(EIGHT
MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY EIGHT THOUSAND,SEVEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTY EUROS
ONLY) shared among the seventeen international winners in this category

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Your fund is now deposited with a security company insured to your name. Due to
mixed up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this award from public
notice until your claim has been processed and your money remitted to your
nominated account as this is a part of our security protocol to avoid double
claiming or unwarranted taking advantage of this program by participants.

All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from
25,000 names from Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America as part
of our international promotions program which we conduct once every year. We
hope that with a part of your prize , you will take part in our end of year high
stake US$1.3 billion International lottery.

To begin your lottery claim please contact your claims agent, Foreign operations
DON DIEGO MARTINEZ manager ESTRELLA SEGUROS S.A on Email:
for processing and remittance of your prize money to a
designated account of your choice. Remember that all prize money must be claimed
not later than 1st JUNE, 2004 After this date all funds will be returned to the
Ministry de Economic y Hacienda as unclaimed.

NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays there be any change of your address,
please do inform your claims agent, please remember to quote your reference and
batch numbers in every correspondence with us or your agent .Furthermore should
there be any change of your address, do inform your claims agent as soon as
possible.

Congratulations again from all members of our staff and thank you for being a
part of our promotions Program.

Sincerely.

SNR PEDRO GARZON

Managing Director

Thursday, May 06, 2004

Namibia seems to be the latest country to become cursed with the "419-scam" or "Nigerian advance fee fraud".

Scammers are now impersonating white Namibian farmers who are allegedly hiding their money abroad to avoid repossession.

The scam is not operated from Namibia, therefore it is difficult for local police to investigate.

Tuesday, May 04, 2004

Warning, the Nigerian scammers are becoming more imaginative.

Account holders of international banks such as Barclays are receiving internet messages asking them to "reactivate" their accounts. The message requests the recipient to enter their account number.

This of course gives the scammers instant access to the account holders funds.

The Nigerian scam now also includes the hacking into of authentic websites of banks.

Do not respond to these messages, they are scams.

It's a nasty old world out there!

Monday, May 03, 2004

Today I have been offered the chance to share in over $10M.

All I have to do is help an accountant in Africa steal money from the account of a dead man.

Well of course there is no bank account, dead man or accountant; just some crook writing this email which has been spammed across the globe.

Don't fall for it, it is a con.

INTERNATIONAL BANK OF,
AFRICA LOME,
TOGO,
WEST AFRICA.
TELEPHONE

DEAR Ken Frost ,

IAM MR FRANK KOSWELL THE MANAGER IN CHARGE OF AUDDITING AND ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT.

THERE IS AN ACCOUNT OPEN IN THIS BANK IN 1980 AND SINCE 1990 NOBODY HAS OPERATED ON THIS ACCOUNT AGAIN. AFTER GOING THROUGH SOME OLD FILES IN THE RECORDS I DISCOVERED THAT IF I DO NOT REMITT THIS MONEY OUT URGENTELY IT WILL FORFEITED FOR NOTHING.THE OWNER OF THIS ACCOUNT MR PAUL PHILIP .A FORIGNER AND THE MANAGER OF PETROL CHEMICAL SERVICE,A LECTRICAL ENGINEER BY PROFFESSION AND HE DIED SINCE 1990.
NO OTHER PERSON KNOWS ABOUT THIS ACCOUNT OR ANYTHING CONCERNING IT, THE ACCOUNT HAS NO OTHER BENEFICIARY AND MY INVESTIGATION PROVED TO ME AS WELL THAT HIS COMPANY DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ACCOUNT AND THE AMOUNT INVLOVED IS U.S.$10.500,000.00(TEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUASAND DOLLARS).

I WANT TO TRANSFER THIS MONEY INTO A SAFE FORIGN ACOUNT ABROAD, BUT I DON'T KNOW ANY FOREIGNER, I AM ONLY CONTACTING YOU AS A FOREIGNER BECAUSE THIS MONEY CAN NOT BE APPROVED TO ANY LOCAL BANK HERE BUT CAN ONLY BE APPROVED TO ANY FOREIGN ACCOUNT BECAUSE THE MONEY IS U.S DOLLARS AND THE FORMER OWNER OF THE ACCOUNT IS MR PAUL PHILIPAND HE WAS A FOREIGNER TOO.I KNOW THAT THIS MESSAGE WILL COME TO YOU AS A SURPRISE AS WE DON'T KNOW OUR SELF BEFORE, BUT BE SURE THAT IT IS REAL AND A GENUINE BUSINESS.

I ONLY GOT YOUR CONTACT FROM WEB SITE RESEARCH WITH BELIEVE IN GOD THAT YOU WILL NEVER LET ME DOWN IN THIS BUSINESS,YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON THAT I HAVE CONTACTED FOR THIS BUSINESS FOR NOW.SO PLEASE REPLY URGENTLY. WHEN THE TRANSFER IS APPROVED AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE I WILL ROVIDE YOU AN ACCOUNT ON WHERE YOU WILL TRANSFER MY OWN PERCENTAGE IN THE DEAL,I WILL USE MY POSITION IN THE OFFICE TO PROVIDE ALL THE NECESSARY INFORMATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THIS FUND.

I WILL COME DOWN TO YOUR COUNTRY FOR THE SHARING AND OTHER INVESTMENT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS BUSINESS.

CAN I GIVE YOU THE TRUST.?

CAN YOU SPONSORE THIS PROJECT.?

WHAT WILL BE YOUR PERCENTAGE.?

THANKS
BEST REGARD

MR FRANK KOSWELL.
PRIVAT MOBILE NUMBER .
reply to

Sunday, May 02, 2004

Another affront to the English language.

The author starts by saying that I will be surprised by receiving this letter; given the number that receive these days, I can assure him I am not the slightest bit surprised.

This person claims to be a Kenyan, resident in Italy.

He has $15M and needs me to help him shift it.

He found my name in an internet trade directory.

Piffle! I am not listed in a trade directory.

ATTN:SIR,

I DO FORSEE THE SUPRISE THIS LETTER WILL BRING TO YOU, AS IT COMES FROM A
STRENGER , BUT BE REST ASSURES IT COMES WITH BEST INTENTIONS. I AM JOSHUA
MALINBI A KENYAN BASED HERE IN ITALY. IAM SERVING AS A CONTACT MAN TO A TOP
MINISTER IN THE OUTSTED KENYAN GOVERNMENT OF DANIEL ARAP MOI OF KENYA.
HE ASKED ME TO LOOK FOR A FOREIGN PARTNER SPECIFICALLY FROM YOUR COUNTRY WHO
WILL ASSIST IN THIS BUSINESS. I GOT YOUR CONTACT THROUGH AN INTERNET TRADE
DIRECTORY. THIS TOP MINISTER HAS FIFTEEN MILLION DOLLARS DEPOSITED IN A SECURITY
COMPANY IN SOUTH AFRICA. DUE TO RECENT CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT IN KENYA AND THE
THREAT BY THE INCUMBENT PRESIDENT MWAI KIBAKI TO PROBE ALL TOP MINISTERS UNDER
THE FORMER PRESIDENT ARAP MOI, HE HAS DECIDED TO WITHDRAW THE BOX CONTAINING
THIS MONEY AND TRANSFER THE MONEY INTO YOUR ACCOUNTBEFORE THE INCUMBENT
PRESIDENT COMES PROBING ALL THEIR LOCAL/ FOREIGN DEPOSITS.
HE HAS PROMISED TO COMPASATE YOU WITH 20% OF THE TOTAL SUM WHILE 5% WILL BE FOR
ANY EXPENDITURE TO BE ENCOUNTEREDAT THE COURSE OF THIS TRANSACTION, WHILE THE
REMAINING 75% WILL BE FOR INVESTMENT FOR THE MINISTER.
UPON YOUR RESPONSE, THE DETAILS OF THIS TRANSACTION WILL BE MDE KNOWN TO YOU,
MOREOVER ABSOLUTE SECRECY AND CONFIDENTIALITY IS REQUIRED SO AS TO MAKE THIS A
SUCCESS.
I AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE.
YOURS TRULY,
JOSHUA MALINBI(MR)

Saturday, May 01, 2004

Can anyone tell me what a "dilmma" is?

I only ask, because the subject line of the latest pile of cack to land in my mail box asks me to "Please help me out of my dilmma".

This fine piece of writing is in block capitals throughout, clearly the author hasn't been told that using blocks is the same as shouting (how very rude!).

The grammar is, even by Nigerian scam standards, appalling.

Quite what "I great you" means I have no idea.

It's the usual story a dead body, $12M etc.

The author kindly advises me to ignore the message if I am not interested; alright then!


DEAR SIR/MADAM,

I GREAT YOU IN THE WONDERFUL NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.IT IS WITH TRUST AND
CONFIDENCE THAT I MAKE THIS URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL. I AM THE WIFE OF LATE MR
MARK MAZA OF ZIMBABWE. MY HUSBAND IS ONE THE BEST FARMERS IN MY COUNTRY DURING
HIS LIFETIME. DURING THE LAND-DISPUTES BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE WHITE
FARMERS, MANY LIFE AND PROPERTIES WERE LOST.
MY HUSBAND DID NOT SUPPORT THE ACTIONS AND IDEAS OF
PRESIDENT ROBERT -MUGABE, HIS LOYALIST INVADED MY
HUSDAND'S'S FARM DESTROYING VALUABLE ITEMS, DURING THIS MAYHEM MY HUSBANED WAS
KILLED ALONG WITH TWO OTHER MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY . I MANAGED TO ESCAPE TO
NIGERIA WITH TWO OF MY KIDS, WHERE WE WERE GRANTED ASYLUM. MY HUSBAND WAS A MAN
OF BUSINESS FORE-SIGHT, HE SECURED THE SUM OF $12.5 MILLION DOLLARS {TWELVE
MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUNSANDS UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY] WITH A SECURITY
COMPANY.

PRESENTLY NOW, ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE NOT PERMITTED BY LAW TO OPERATE AN ACCOUNT IN
NIGERIA, FOR THIS REASONS, I DECIDED TO SEEK FOR A TRUSTED AND RELIABLE FOREIGN
PERSONALITY WHO IS WILLING AND READY TO HELP ME TO TRANSFER THE MONEY OUT OF THE
COUNTRY AND HELP ME TO INVEST JUDICIOUSLY AND ALSO MAKE PROVISION FOR ME TO COME
OVER AND START A NEW LIFE.
I AM WILLING AND READY TO OFFER YOU 10% FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND ASSISTANCE,WHILE
10% IS SET ASIDE FOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXPENSES IN THE COURSE OF THIS
TRANSACTION AND 80% WILL BE FOR ME. I SHALL BE WAITING FOR YOUR REPLY.

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR FULL NAME,HOME OR OFFICE
ADDRESS,PERSONAL TELEPHONE, MOBILE AND FAX NUMBERS FOR EASY COMMUNICATION AND
ARRANGEMENT TO ENABLE MY LATE HUSBANDS LAWYER TO HELP US TAKE THE LEGAL
DETAILS FOR EASY CLIAMS OF THE FUND FROM THE SECURITY COMPANY. SHOULD YOU NOT BE
INTERESTED IN THIS TRANSACTION, DO NOT HESITATE TO IGNORE THIS MESSAGE SO AS TO
ENABLE ME LOOK FOR ANOTHER PARTNER.

ALTERNATIVE EMAIL BOX--


BEST REGARDS,
MRS.DEBOR. CYNTHIA.MAZA(WIDOW}