The Bleating of Sheep

We got the following e-mail today. But it is a hoax.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_petition_2493.htm

I never cease to be amazed at the sheep-like credulousness of people who are willing to lend their good names to this kind of a viral evil. They cannot even get their facts right. O'Hare did not "successfully eliminate the use of Bible reading from public schools a few years ago." She won a Supreme court that ended the practice of daily prayer in public schools more than forty years ago. But there was no prohibition against reading the Bible in school in the context of an academic class, such as in literature, history, or philosophy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madalyn_Murray_O'Hair

Could it be that simple-mindedness and faith are one and the same? I'm also curious about the motivation of those who start e-mails like this. Some of them may be fundamentalist fearmongers. But others may simply be harvesting e-mail addresses for financial gain.

The following e-mail was followed by hundreds of signatures, the hoofprints of sheep from around the country.

Please read and sign

Sounds worth doing:

Dr. Dobson & CBS Response

Apparently we are to be allowed to watch TVprograms that use every foul word in the English language, but not the word "God." It will only take a minute to read this and see if you think you should send it out

DR. DOBSON'S PLEA FOR ACTION

CBS discontinued "Touched by an Angel" for usingthe word God in every program. Madeline Murray O'Hare, an atheist, successfully managed to eliminate the use of Bible reading from public schools a few years ago.Now her organization has been granted a federalhearing on the same subject by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Washington , DC .Their petition, Number 2493, would ultimately pavethe way to stop the reading of the gospel, our Lordand Savior, on the airwaves of America .They got 287,000 signatures to back their stand!

If this attempt is succes sful, all Sunday worshipservices being broadcast on the radio or bytelevision will be stopped. This group is alsocampaigning to remove all Christmas programs and Christmas carols from public schools!You as a Christian can help!

We are praying for at least 1 million signatures. This woulddefeat their effort and show that there are many Christians alive, well and concerned about our country. As Christians we must unite on this.

Please don't take this lightly.We ignored this lady once and lost prayer in ourschool and in offices across the nationPlease stand up for your religious freedom and let your voice be heard. Together we can make adifference in our country while creating a way forthe lost to know the Lord.Please press "forward", an. Together we can make a difference in our country while creating a way forthe lost to know the Lord.Please press "forward", and fo rward this to everyone that you think should read this.

Now, please sign your name at the bottom ( youcan only add your name after you have pressed the"Forward").

Don't delete any other names, just go to the nextnumber and type your name and state. Please defeat this organization and keep the right of our freedom of religion.

REMEMBER: Our country was founded on freedom of religionand our Constitution is based on the 10 Commandments.

Agree or Delete: Instructions to sign are at the bottom.

PETITION FOR PRESIDENT BUSH

PETITION TO REINSTATE PRAYER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

Test Messaging Rip-off

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2007/10/sean-clark-pays.html#posts

"It's hard to imagine one teenager running up $10,000 in text charges in a month -- until you consider the services she used. Amanda had signed up for text-chatting services, lured by ads promising romantic dialogs with "cool guys." With each message costing $1-$2 a pop, such chats can easily cost hundreds of dollars a day."

More 419s

Will the madness never end? I keep adding 419s to my blog as they drop into my e-mail, hoping that seach engines will pick them up with other folks get them. I must admit that some are quite creative. Cheating people is hard work. So, as a public service, here are some 419 frauds. I'm also hoping that by publishing them, my Nigerians friends will get the hint that they should stop sending me these e-mails, but I doubt that they will.

XXXX

From: compesationofficer_terrystewart@yahoo.dk

Friend.

Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trustworthiness you showed at thecourse of the Uk Online Lotto winning cheque shipment to your location, Iwant to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of$500,000USD (Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) I have authorizedthe finance house where I deposited the money to issue you internationalcertified bank draft cashable at your bank.My dear winner, I will like you to contact the CEO in charge of the financehouse for the collection of this international certified bank draft. Thename of the Person with your Cheque is Mr. Terry Mark Stewart.COMPENSATION AND FINANCE HOUSE HEAD OFFICECONTACT AGENT MR.TERRY MARK STEWART.EMAIL: compesationofficer_terrystewart@yahoo.dkAt the moment, I am very busy in Sydney because of the investment projectswhich myself and my new partner Mr. Peter Hills. Finally, remember that Ihave forwarded instruction to Mr. Terry Mark at the finance house on yourbehalf to send the bank draft to you as soon as you contact him withoutdelay. Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as thisis from the bottom of my heart. Thanks and God bless you and your family.Hope to hear from you soon.

My sincere advice to you as a Christian is that you should endeavor to Payyour tithe to a bible believing church when you get the money because Inoticed it as a fiduciary agent that you were skeptical about your winningswhen you were been ask by the Uk lotto Agency Inc to file out a claim foryour prize.

And now the current policy of the Lotto organizers is that if an emergedWinner fails to claim up his/her winning cheque of $500,000 it's nowmandatory that this fund can be remitted or forfeited to the fiduciary agentin charge of this winners file.However, I want you to contact him immediately as soon as you receive Thisemail.

Yours Sincerely,

Mrs. Sherry Cole.

XXXX

From: web036@zipmail.com.br

Hello my Dear,

You might find it so difficult to remember me. Though, it is indeed, a verylong time.On my singular, I am much delighted and privileged to contactyou again, after couple of years now. It takes fate, courage and God's fearingto remember you and at the sametime,to show gratification to you despitecircumstances that made things, not worked out as we projected then.I take this liberty to inform you that, the transaction we were pursingtogether, finally worked out by God's infinite mercy and I decided to contactyou, just to let you know. You are advised to stop any further communicationwith your local representative(s) any officials (s) department whom maycall you or email concerning the drafted cheque what sum of $950,000,00,accept Mr.Peter Jakie, You are advise not to accept any fax or telephonecalls that does not come from him.Because he is the only person I left the instructions on how to deliverthe drafted cheque to you,and you may call him immediately you receivedthis important message for more information through the instruction I left,I have conscience as a human being,due to your tremendious efforts and contributionsto make things work out.Meanwhile, I must inform you that, I am presently in Taiwan now for numerousbusiness negotiations and establishment. I just arrived two days now. Now,with my sincere heart, I have raised and signed an International Cashier'sBank Cheque,to the tune of USD$950,000.00 in your name as COMPENSATION foryour dedication,humanity and contributions.Please, contact him now, my confidential secretary,his name is Mr. PeterJakie on his E-mail:(peterjakie2000@yahoo.fr ) to discuss on the best wayfor you to recieve it. Feel free to reach him as i have left instructionson your behalf.Sincerely Yours,Mr.johnson micheal.

XXXX

From: the_lottery_dept@yahoo.com.hk

GUINNESS STOUT IS GREAT PROMOTIONS 2007. We are pleased to inform you of the result of the just concluded Monthly draws held on the 28th of OCTOBER 2007 GUINNESS IS GREAT
Worldwide Promotion, your email was among the 30 lucky winners who won GBP (Great British Pounds) £120,000.00 each on the GUINNESS STOUT Company. However, the results were released on 16th of NOVEMBER 2007 and your email was attached to ticket number (GUI29578NN845) and ballot number (BN: 923645194756/JTF-W). The online draws was conducted by a random selection of email addresses from an exclusive list of 250,031 E-mail addresses of individuals and corporate bodies, picked by an advanced automated random computer search from the internet. However, no tickets were sold but all email addresses were assigned to different ticket numbers for representation and privacy. The selection process was carried out through random selection in our computerized email selection machine (CELMA) from a database of over 2,250,000 email addresses drawn from all the continents of the world. This Lottery is approved by the British Gaming Board and also Licensed by the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR).This lottery is the 2nd of its kind and we intend to sensitize the public. In other to claim your GBP £120,000.00 prize winning, this has been deposited in a designated bank. However, you will have to fill the form below and send it to the Promotion manager of The Guinness Lottery Company for verification and then you will be directed to the bank where a cheque of GBP £120,000.00 has already been deposited in your favor. NAMES: AGE: SEX: MARITAL STATUSADDRESS:
STATE:
ZIP CODE:
COUNTRY: PHONE: MOBILE PHONE: OCCUPATION: POSITIONCOMPANY: Please you are advised to complete the form and send it immediately to our Promotion manager through email for prompt collection of your fund from the designated bank. (CONTACT PROMOTION MANAGER)Name: Mr. Dionn Hunter Phone # : +44 7031922296 OR +44 7031949345EMAIL: lottery_payment_center@yahoo.com.hk

Please keep all lotto information away from the general public especially your ticket number and ballot number. (This is important as a case of double claims will not be entertained). *Staff of GUINNESS STOUT Company is prohibited from partaking in this Lottery PLEASE BE WARNED* Accept my hearty congratulations once again!Yours faithfully,Prof. Mrs. Alma Hyman



XXXX

From: ">duan_morris200@yahoo.com>

BARRISTER DUAN MORRIS,
Clapham(INVEST)Consultants292,
Upper Richmond Rd West ,
East Sheen, London , SW14 7JG
United Kingdom

Atten:

My Dear Friend,

The inspiration to contact you is simply divine providence, I am makingthis proposition because I have to seek the partnership of a resourceperson to help me realize this project. I am Barrister Duane Morris,A solicitor and investment consultant based in London, united kingdom.Iwas attended a business lunch in Berlin, Germany and I got introducedto the renowned German businessman and property mogul, Mr.AndreasSchranner (of the blessed memory).He engaged my services as an attorney and investment consultant and myprimary assignment was to spearhead his investment for rays in the UnitedKingdom. Three months later I invited him to London and under myprofessional guidance and based on my advice he made a fixed deposit of9,800,000.00 Million Pounds Sterling at a financial institution [NINE MILLIONEIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS STERLING ] .This deposit was for 5years and upon maturity I made effort to contact myclient, I could not reach him or any member of his family. I was forced totravel to Germany and there I got the tragic news that on July 25 2000, myclient Mr. Andreas schranner, his wife Maria, their daughter Eich andson Christian perished in the air FranceConcorde new York bound flight;Please Click here and find out what happened to the familyhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stmI have made efforts to locate any member of his family since then withstrong biological links to my late client without success. The search tofind a close relation is one that has consumed time and resources.The institution is asking me to either present a next of kin to late Mr.Andreas Schranner or forfeit the deposit.My proposal is to package, present you as next of kin to late Mr. AndreasSchranner and process the fixed deposit and transfer custody to you forour mutual benefit. My capacity as solicitor/investment consultant to mylate client gives me the discretion to package and transfer the deposit toyou.I will give you 40% for your effort, 60% for me it will amount toinjustice if I do not take this decisive step to secure this deposit, andinvest it. The late schranner was also a friend in addition to ourbusiness relationship.I will wait for your response with the following information?s.

Your Full name ....................................
Your Telephone numbers..... ........................
Your Country.........................................
Your Mailing Address.... ...........................

I await your response.

BARRISTER DUAN MORRIS

Email:morris_200@yahoo.co.uk


XXXX

From:

AFRIBANK NIGERIA PLC
Afribank Plaza,51/55 Broad Street,Lagos-Nigeria

Reminder Notice

We received instruction from the Debt Management office, ThePresidency, to have your USD $3.1m currently approved by the contractReview and Payment Committee released to you through our Smart CardDepartmentIn a motion filed at the High Court of Justice in respectof your outstanding US$3.1M Contract PaymentvideCONTRACTNO.:MME/32789XDHGH/2007 currently in an Escrow account of ourBank , be informed that this office have been advised via a Court rulingto revalidate yourpayment transfer since its validity of 8th May,2007You will receive your payment immediately through ourSwift card payment centres in Europe, America,Africa and AsiaPacific,This is part of an instruction/mandate passed by the SenatePresident,at the Federal House of Senate,Abuja in respect to oversea Debtcontract payment and debt re-scheduling plan of the Federal Republic ofNigeria and Fifteen other Economic Communities of West African States.This card centre will send you an ATM CARD which you will use towithdraw your money through an ATM MACHINE in any part of the world,but the maximum is($10,000.00) Ten Thousand US Dollars per transaction ofyour sum amounting to Three Million, One Hundred Thousand United StatesDollars only.(USD$3.1Million ).If you wish to receive your fund this way,Kindly reconfirm your(1) Your Full Name(2) Address where the Card shall be sent to.(3) Your Phone Number(4)OccupationFailure to adhere strictly to this directives as instructed by thePresidency and the Contract Review and Payment Committee will lead tosummary seizure of all your funds in Nigeria as interpreted in section89 article 201 of Central Bank of Nigeria and Ministry of Finance Act1979.We shall be expecting to receive your information as you have to stopany further communication with any other officials except the Undersigned.

Thanks for your co-operation.
Best Regards,
Mr.Isa ZailaniExecutive Director
OPerations & Information TechnologyAfribank Nigeria Plc

XXXX

From:

OFFICE OF THE SENATE HOUSE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN PAYMENT (RESOLUTIONPANEL ON CONTRACT PAYMENT) IKOYI-LAGOS NIGERIA

Our Ref: FGN /SNT/STB Your ref:

ATTN: Beneficiary,

We, the entire members of the Federal House of Senate, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigerian Government, Under the auspices of the civil i am Head of State, President Umaru Musa Yar Adua (GCFR) and the Governor of Central Bank Of Nigeria , Prof Charles Soludo held a meeting last week concerning payment , both foreign and local contractors and some inheritance funds. On going through files yesterday, we discovered that your file was dumped untreated , so at this juncture, we apologize for the delay of your payment and please stop communicating with any office now and attention to the appointed office below for you to receive your payment accordingly . Now your new Payment Reference No.-35460021, Allocation No: 674632 Password No : 339331 , Pin Code No: 55674 and your Certificate of Merit Payment No : 103 , Released Code No: 0763; Immediate Telex confirmation No: -1114433 ; Secret Code No: XXTN013 ,Having received these vital payment number , therefore You are qualified now to received and confirm Your payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria immediately within 24hrs. Now you are directed to contact the Office of the Paymaster General Federal Republic of Nigeria Dr. Mallam Haruna Musa Mimmediately so that he will pay you and fax you the payment Copy Slip and also you should reconfirm your banking Details , this is to avoid mistake while transferring your overdue payment to you.

Contact Person: Dr. Mallam Haruna Musa Em ail:officepayment_g_g@yahoo.co.uk Contact him now and inform him that you received an email from The Federal House of Senate Federal Republic of Nigeria , Instructing you to write him for immediate release of your fund and forward your Details to his office to avoid transfer mistake.

NOTE: We have mounted our security network to monitor every in-coming call , if we still find out that you are still dealing with all those fraudsters that have been frustrating our efforts and defrauding beneficiaries, We shall stop and cancel your payment immediately .

Best Regards

DR. DAVID B.MARK. SENATE PRESIDENT(Federal Republic of Nigeria)

XXXX

From: ">microsoftpromotions@microsoft.com>

MICROSOFT EMAIL PROMO:OFFICIAL PRIZE NOTIFICATION

After a successful completion of the draws of the MICROSOFTEMAIL PROMO held on the 17th November 2007, yourcompany or your personal e-mail address,attached to winningnumbers:(23) (77) (04) (57) (33) (170) won in the Tenthlottery category.You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of£150,000,00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand British PoundsSterling) in cash credited to file REF NO:MSW-L/007-28793,BATCH NO:2007MJL-05, this is from a total prize money of£3,750,000 (Three Million,Seven hundred and Fifty ThousandBritish Pounds Sterling),shared among the Twenty five (25)international winners in this category.All participants were selected through our Microsoftcomputer ballot system drawn form 142,000 Names,as part ofour International \"E-MAIL"\ Promotion Program for ourprominent MS-WORD users all over the world and for thecontinuous use of the internet.You are therefore requested to contact the claims processorvia the e-mail address provided with the informationrequired in the form below.

The claims processor is:NAME: GREGORY ALLEYEMAIL:grego_alley2007@yahoo.gr

TEL: +44 703 5902789In order to avoid unnecessary delay and complications,pleaseremember to quote your reference and winning ticket numberin all correspondence with your claims officer.Your secretpin code is ML0757985.

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU ARE TO SEND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATIONTO CLAIM YOUR WINNINGS:

1. Full Name: ........................................

2. Address:..........................................

3. Phone:............... Fax:.........................

4. Country:...........................................

5. Sex................................................

You are to keep all lottery information(your winning numbersand MOST ESPECIALLY your secret pin code) away from thegeneral public.This is important as a case of double claimsand unwarranted abuse of this program will not beentertained and will be legally pursued.

Congratulations once again.

YOURS FAITHFULLY,

MRS. ENDA STEELE

XXXX

From: 'JOHN MORGAN'

JOHN MORGAN
60 Seven Sisters Road,
London NW2 3PZ.
From: Barr John Morgan (Esq.)

I am Barrister John Morgan, personal Attorney to Ronald Lake, on the31st Of January 2000, my client and his wife Joyce Lake were involvedin a Plane Crash (Alaska Airlines Flight 261) all passengers unfortunatelylost their lives, since then I have made several enquiries to locate anyof my clientsextended relatives but this proved unsuccessful. See the website belowwww.archives.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/Since it is not compulsory that the Next-of-Kin must be a bloodRelation to the deceased, hence I contacted you, be informed that aNext-of-Kin can be anybody, friends or organization etc.Presently, the Bank where the deceased (my client) had a Deposit valuedAt US$10, 500, 000.00 Million issued me a notice to provide theNext-of-Kin to my client to receive its benefit or have the accountConfiscated, so I have contacted you to assist me in repatriating thisbenefit left behind by my client before they get confiscated ordeclared unserviceable by the Bank.To this effect, I now seek your consent to present you to the Bank asThe Next-of-Kin of the deceased (my Client) so that the proceeds ofThis Benefit valued at US$10, 500, 000.00 Million can be paid to you andthen you and I can share it; 50% to me, 40% to you, while 10% should begiven toany Orphanage Home. I guarantee that this will be executed under alegitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Please get in touch with me with the below details immediately youacknowledge thegood receipt of this Message.

Full Name:
Full Address:
Tel Number:
Fax Number:
Mobile Number:
Private Email:
Occupation:
Marital Status:
Age:
Sex:

Your prompt response is highly imperative.

Yours sincerely,

Bar. John Morgan (Esq.)Morgan Chambers.

johnmorgan512@yahoo.co.uk

N:B PLEASE GET BACK TO ME ON MY PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS WHICH.......................... FOR THE SAKE OF CONFIDENTIALITY.

XXXX

On Sat Nov 17 6:22 , "office file" sent:

YOUR ATM PAYMENT WAS SUCCESSFULL

Good day,

I have been waiting for you since to come down here and pick your bank draft but we did not hear from you since that time then i went and deposited the $1.200,000.00 usd draft/cheque in the bank.We have arranged your payment through swift card payment center Asia pacific, this card center will send you an atm card which you will use to withdraw your money in any atm machine in any part of the world, but the maximum is One Thousand, Five Hundred United States Dollars Per-Day.Kindly contact the below person who is in possition to release your ATM Payment Card.Send your information which they will use to send the card to you.

1. Your full name::
2. Your home address were you them to send the atmcard::
3. Current occupation::
4. Age::
5. Your current home telephone number/mobile phone number:: ::
6 . A Copy of your identification::However, kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your atm card. MR FRANK WILLIAMS( DIRECTOR)ATM Payment Department apex banktel: +229-97 65 87 48 Email: frank1_williams@myway.comI have paid for the processing and delivery charges.the only money that your are going to pay to them is only $165 dollars which they will use to obtain the affidevid of onwership from the federal high court of Benin Republic. Try to contact them as soon as possible to quicken the processing of your card before your draft gets expired . Let me know as soon as you receive your card.

Waiting for your respond. and your Urgent Call.

Thanks

Mrs LILIAN BENSON

XXXX

On Sat Nov 17 15:25 , eguatu10@earthlink.net sent:

Attention Friend

Its my pleasure to inform you that i have verified from the bank director regarding the transfer of your fund and it was good news because the requested fee was less expessive for you to afford. your consignment containing your fund($1.200.000.00) have been deposited with the BANK OF AFRICA(BOA)so that your fund will be wired to your account immediately.You are to contact the bank director with your banking details. However i went to BANK OF AFRICA(BOA) to discuss this with the bank director as its has not been delivered to you. However he told me that your fund can be transfered to you via a direct wire transfer(KTT) into your account.He told me to instruct you to contact the bank to apply for a direct wire transfer into your account to avoid loosing your fund due to delay. Therefore you can contact the bank with below information, send to them your banking information.

BANK OF AFRICA(BOA)20/22
HOSPITAL ROUTE COTONOU
BENIN REPUBLIC
MAIL=mailto:MAIL=bankofafrica_bfb_190@myway.com,
Telephone=== /+229 93 48 17 71
BANK OF AFRICA(BOA)FOREIGN OPERATION DIRECTOR.
REV.CYPRAIN MARK

Send an email to the bank with the above bank email address and apply for your wire transfer as i have informed the bank about you already.On receipt of your fund into your account endeavour to inform me immediately you receive your fund in your account. the director told me that the only fee you are to pay is $95,00 usd for the opening of new international account there in there bank that will be used to transfer the fund to your destinated account in your country and it will alsoserve as the bank transfer charges.

Thanks

Remain Blessed

Barr.Ewele Eguatu

XXXX

On Mon Nov 19 3:30 , "charles Soludo" sent:

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY,
THE HONORABLE, GOVERNOR OF CBN.
TINUBU SQUARE,
LAGOS- NIGERIA.
PRIVATE EMAIL : charlesmailbox206@yahoo.com

Our Ref: CBN/OHG/OXD1/2006
You're Ref: TELEX: CENBANK.PAYMENT FILE: CBN/BEN/06.Attn:

Dear Valuable Beneficiary,

Definitely I know that this letter will be a surprising one to you.Firstly, I will like to introduce myself formally as Prof.Charles Soludo, The Governor of the Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN). You are been officially contacted by me today because your funds were re-deposited intothe "Federal Suspense Account" of C.B.N last week, because you did not forward your claim as the right beneficiary within due time.Well known to all, the Central Bank Of Nigeria is the apex bank of all commercial banks here in Nigeria. My reason for contacting you is that we had two strange visitors who came to the Bank for the claim of your fund, one who introduced himself as an attorney and a foreigner who claimed to be authorized by you as the beneficiary of your fund.I had toask them why they came to see me in person and they said that they were here to put up claims on your behalf for your fund valued at some millions in United States Dollars, which rightfully belongs to you in our records. I asked them who authorized them to come down to Nigeria for the Collection of this Payment and they told me that you asked them to come and collect this Funds on your behalf. In fact this was the biggest surprise of it kind that this bank had ever witnessed, because your fund is still in the "Federal Suspense account" of C.B.N, and yet you sent these men to come and collect the fund on your behalf without notifying the bank.The bank do not understand why you sent these men to come and collect your fund on your behalf, as it appears to be suspicious. If actually you want them to help you collect your fund, at least you should have notified us through our customer care department or even myself, the Governor of this bank. They actually tendered some vital documents whichproves that you actually sent them for the collection of your Fund. Honestly, it really baffles me that you took such decision without the consent of the bank.

Below is a list of document which they tendered to this bank today:

1. HIGH COURT INJUCTION.
2. ORDER TO RELEASE.
3. TRANSFER PAYMENT SLIP

Actually, these documents which they tendered to this bank is a clear proof that you sent them to collect this Fund on your behalf. Finally, I had to ask that they give me time to verify their claims before releasing the money to the account, which they have provided already. As the governor of this bank, i'm in a position to authorize the release of your fund to them, but it is necessary that we have a confirmation from you before i do so. Due to the nature of my job, I will not want to make any mistake in releasing these Fund to anyone except you whom is the recognized beneficiary of this Fund in our record.

Kindly clarify us on this issue before we make this payment to these foreigners whom you sent on your behalf.

OFFICIALLY SIGNED.

PROF. CHARLES SOLUDO.
GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIAN

Discussing this issue or message with a third party will only complicate matters regarding recieving your fund, so i advise that you clarify this matter directly on your own. Please do not respond to this box,the email box is not equipped to receive response.

Kindly respond to the direct email address:charlesmailbox206@yahoo.com

XXXX

From: "henksmith4"
Subject: Award Notice
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2007 22:20:01 +0200

Award Notice,

Following official publication of results of the Email electronic online
Sweepstakes organized by the(KRASLOTEN LOTTERY AGENCY) corporation,the
Slide circuit award

Contact Mr. James Peterson by phone or email
Tel:+31-623-494-970,
Email:krasloten5050@yahoo.de
For Claim and Clarification of 1000.000.00(One Million Dollars)From
KRASLOTEN LOTTERY AGENCY database internet email users.Your email address
was randomly balloted which came out attached to(Ref.No 99868)

Regards,

Mrs.Henk Smith.

XXXXXXXX

On Wed Oct 24 5:36 , 'Fidelix Woodgate' sent:

FGN/OHG/00X09/2007ATTN: BENEFICIARY,STOP ORDER FROM THE PRESIDENCYThis is to bring to your notice about the due process of your outstanding contractual payment which was suspended by the Central Bank of Nigeria there by stopping the telex unit to pause the transfer of your contract fund to your nominated bank account. As aresult of this development verification conducted by the Finance Ministry in conjunction with the Debt Verification Panel on your contract case file has been endorsed for payment awaiting your confirmations.In view of several efforts already made by us to contact you for the following reasons based on the new account submitted to this office on your behalf:

(1) My Office desks have just received a sworn affidavit from Mr. RAINER HESSE of Germany to re-route your payment into a new bank account number as stated VACAP Federal Credit Union, 1700 Robin Hood Road, Richmond, VA 23220. Account number 32501.of Mr. RAINER HESSE. The sum of 10 Million US Dollars ( Ten Million US Dollars)

(2) Please, confirm to our department if you have instructed Mr. RAINER HESSE to appoint an attorney/agent on your behalf thereby asking that he receive cash call remittance on your behalf.

(3) It have come to our notice that you are being contacted by unauthorized individuals with respect to your contract payment but unfortunately this office is not aware of your unofficial dealings and warned that itis at your own risk.

(4) Please, also confirm if you have authorized Mr. RAINER HESSE to change your banking particulars to the following particulars stated below:

VACAP Federal Credit Union,

1700 Robin Hood Road, Richmond, VA 23220.

Account number 3250163

Also re-confirm your Contract Number, Contract Amount, Private Telephone and Fax number, your e-mail address, Office or home address so that we can cross-check it with our file records.

We have decided to contact you for re-verification because we suspected that Mr. RAINER HESSE is trying to divert your money through the sworn affidavit into a new different bankaccount. You are advised to call the Chairman Debt Verification Panel upon the receipt of this mail.

Please call me as soon as you recieve the mail for more concrete discussion regards to this issue of your payment.

Direct telephone number : +234-70-3512-3010

Treat as urgent

Yours faithfully,

Fidelix Woodgate

Warning:

This communiqu is from the PRESIDENTIAL BOARD OF TRUSTEE ON CONTRACT PAYMENT upon the advice of the Presidential adviser on Contract are advised to adhere strictly to directive. Any fund beneficiary who ignores instruction will be doing so at his own risk and should not blame the Federal Government Of Nigeria for non-payment of their contract funds.

FRONT DESK OF THE PRESIDENT FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

Website:http://www.nigeria.gov.

XXXXXXXX

On Sat Oct 27 9:14 , vittoriofondazio_1@hot.rr.com sent

:
VITTORIO FONDAZIONE.

Corso Ercole I d'Este 44, Ferrara 44100 - Italy.

IMPORTANT NOTICE Foundation's Officer, Fondazion Di Vittorio, ITALY http://www.fondazionedivittorio.it Concern.

The Foundazion di Vittorio, would like to notify you that you have been chosen by the board of trustees as one of the final recipients of a cash Grant/Donation for your own personal, educational, and business development. The Fondazione Di Vittorio, established 1977 by the Multi-Million groups and now supported by the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS),United Nations Organization (UNO) and the European Union (EU) was conceived with the objective of human growth, educational, and community development. To celebrate the 28th anniversary program, The Vittorio Foundation in conjunction with the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), United Nations Organization (UNO) and the European Union (EU) is giving out a yearly donation of US$850,000.00 (Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) to 100 lucky recipients. These specific Donations/Grants will be awarded to 100 lucky international recipients worldwide; in different categories for their personal business development and enhancement of their educational plans. At least 15% of the awarded funds should be used by you to develop a part of your environment. This is a yearly program, which is a measure of universal development strategy. The objective is to make a notable change in the standard of living of people all around the Universe (From America to Europe, Asia to Africa and all around). The Vittorio Foundation has been assured of highest organization standard courtesy of the United Nations. It is our belief that we can achieve a great positive change in the general welfare of the universe through this program. That is why the foundation is doing everything possible to get all recipients notified of their donation. Note that your country is not the only country that is benefiting from this donation. Beneficiaries have been chosen from countries from all continents. The idea of this donation is that within ten years from now, there will be notable richness among many unusual people around the world. This will give many people the opportunity to get their lives to a stage where they had always wanted. Kindly note that you will only be chosen to receive the donation once, which means that subsequent yearly donation will not get to you again. Take time and thought in spending the donation wisely on something that will last you a long time. Recipients are only eligible to be awarded this donation once. Based on the random selection exercise of internet websites and millions of supermarket cash invoices worldwide, you were selected among the lucky recipients to receive the award sum of US$850,000.00 (Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) as charity donations/aid from the Vittorio Foundation, ECOWAS, EU and the UNO in accordance with the enabling act of Parliament. (Note that all beneficiaries email addresses were selected randomly from over 100,000 internet websites or a shop's cash invoice around your area in which you might have purchased something from). You are required to fill the form below and email it to our Executive Secretary below for qualification documentation and processing of your claims. After contacting our office with the requested data, you will be given your donation pin number, which you will use in collecting the funds.

Please endeavor to quote your Qualification numbers (N-222-6747,E-900-56) in all discussions.

FULL NAMES:__________________

ADDRESS: ____________________ CITY:_________________________ STATE:_______________________ ZIP: ______________ COUNTRY_______________ SEX:_______________ AGE:__________________ MARITAL STATUS:___________ OCCUPATION:_________________ E-MAIL ADDRESS:_____________________ TELEPHONE NUMBER:_____________________ ================================

SEND ALL YOUR CLAIMS AND INQUIRIES TO THE Executive Secretary- Claudio Giovanni Email:vittoriofondazio_grantclaims07@yahoo.no

All information is strictly confidential and will only be used for the purpose to which it is been requested. Please note that these donations/Grants are strictly administered by Economic community for West African States (ECOWAS), European Union (EU), under delegated powers from the United Nations Organization (UNO). This means that your qualification number will be reffled to know the organisation (ECOWAS or EU) that will handle your payment. You are to keep this whole information confidential until you have been able to collect your donation, as there have been many cases of double and unqualified claim, due to beneficiaries informing third parties about his/her donation. Finally, all funds should be claimed by their respective beneficiaries, no later than 15 days after notification. Failure to do so will mean cancellation of that beneficiary and its donation will then be reserved for next year's recipients.

On behalf of the Board kindly, accept our warmest congratulations.

Regards. Mr. Sparo Malcom

(Foundation officer)

XXXXXXXX

On Sat Oct 27 18:01 , 'Kenneth Moore Esq' sent
:
Dear Correspondent.

I am compelled to write you this email for the following reason:-One of my client, who is now deceased, in his Will, left his entire Estateand Cash deposit, valued millions of US dollars. The truth is that l donot know if you are the beneficiary or not.For over two years, l have tried effortlessly to locate the person on the will without success, which mandated me to contact you.

Can you get back to me urgently if you are capable of investing thesefunds in any profitable ventures in your domain?

You can reach me via this email address: kennethmooreesq@strompost.com for further explanation.

Respectfully Yours,

Kenneth Moore Esq

Tel:+447035901857

XXXXXXXX

On Sat Oct 27 2:01 , ahmd_sidq4@zipmail.com.br sent
:
Attention: Beneficiary,

Greetings

I am much delighted and privileged to contact you now. I am Barr. Williams G Ben & councelors Chambers. I have been expecting you to come down here and pick your Cashiers Cheque from my client but did not hear from you since that time ,so I deposited your Chequewith global max in Benin of Republic for quick delivering to your home address,as I travelled to see my family.

Your $850,000,000 USD has been dormant due to the Time it was deposited,All you have to do is to contact the GLOBAL COURIER and pay them their monthly dumorage fee of $98 USD and Present them with your information where they will Deliver the funds.

This is the information they need to delivery your package to you, it'sonly delay now.

1.YOUR FULL NAME................
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS..........
3.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE.............
5.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.........________________________________________________

FOLLOWING, IS THEIR CONTACT INFORMATIONCONTACT PERSON; DR.Eric johnson DISTRICTMANAGER GLOBAL MAX COMPANY LIMITED.E-mail:(c.globalmax@yahoo.dk)CONTACT PHONE+229-9389-2879___________________________________________________

Now make sure you are writing direct to the giving addressand let me know as soon as the transfered is completed.

Have a Nice Day.

Sincerely,

Barr. Williams G Ben (SAB)

SHARE IS $850,000 IS NOW WAITING TRANSFER

Pepsi Scam

"Mr. Christ Donald" is a nice touch but otherwise illiterate.

13/10/2007

Attn: Winner,

The pepsi-Cola Company is on a journey inspired by our simple desire for sustainable growth, and fueled by our deep conviction that collectively we can create anything we desire.Our motive this year is not to be using only well know stars for our advert e.g.Football stars,movie stars and performing artist.

As part of our appreciation to our esteemed customers all over the world,the Microsoft,Yahoo and Aol company decided to randomly select distinguished customers for the 2007 FACE OF PEPSI GENERATION NEXT PROMO which we are happy to announce to you the draw (#921) of the online selection held on wednessday 10th of Oct, 2007.

Your e-mail address attached to TICKET NUMBER: 1322-4712-640 with SERIAL/BATCH NUMBER: 2177-16 drew the LUCKY DRAW NUMBERS: 21-18-8-28-05 (bonus No. 20), which subsequently won you the promo i the 2nd category i.e match 5 plus bonus.All participants for the online version were selected randomly from World Wide Web sites through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 unions, associations, corporate bodies and individual e-mail addresses that are listed online. This promotion takes place yearly.

You have therefore been approved to claim the total sum of £750,000.00{Seven hundred and fifty thousand Great Britain Pounds} in cash credited to file and a Contract to be the FACE OF PEPSI GENERATION NEXT PROMO with a chance to Travel to any part of the world or country of your choice for visit or permanent stay.

Your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe as indicated in your play coupon. In view of this, your £750,000.00{Seven hundred and fifty thousand Pounds) will be released to you by any of our payment offices in Europe.Our European agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him.

For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claim is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize.This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program.

Please be warned.For your best interest, you are to file in immediate claims upon this notice To the fiduciary agent allocated to you winning file. He is going to brief you on the entails to receive your funds. You are advised to work with his guideline hence he will ensure your winning hits the designated account to be provided by you within 7-10 working day upon the receipt of his notification.

To file for your claim, Please contact our Fiduciary Director from the address bellow:

MR. CHRIST DONALD
Fiduciary Director,
Office of Communication,
Payment and Legislative Affair Unit.
Globe House 4 Temple Place
London WC2R 2PG
Official Email: legislativeaffair_unit@pepsibottlingcompanyplc.com legislativeaffair_office@yahoo.pl
Phone +447011140681

Endeavour to contact him with the following information:1). Full Names:(2). Contact Address: (3). Telephone Number:(4).Age:(5). Sex: (6). Nationality:7). Country:9. Occupation:10. Monthly Income,(11). Annual Income:Winning information,(12). Ticket Number.(13). Lucky Draw Number:(14). Serial/Batch Number:

Congratulations from the Controller and members of staff of the PEPSI COLA BOTTLING COMPANY PLC and WORLD FOOD BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.

Participants are advised to keep their entry details/information from the public to avoid fraudulent claim pending.

Participant under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.

Regards,
MRS. Veronica Banks
Online coordinator for FACE OF PEPSI GENERATION NEXT PROMO,On behalf of the Office of the Controller General.

Another 419

On Thu Sep 6 3:47 , ACCULOTTO INTERNATIONAL sent:
FROM:ACCULOTTO.COM INTERNATIONALOFFICIAL SPONSOR:MERCEDES BENZ COPERATION(UK)C/ CRYDON 28089,LONDON.FROM: THE PROMOTIONS DIRECTORINTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS DEPT.www.acculotto.comRef No: MELI-T/ 17-F044262312 Batch No:901/00319/HLP Zonal Draw No: GMLA2-003 Grand Draw No: 12099

We are happy to announce to you our online sweepstakes draws held on 20th April,2007 when 15,000 email were drawn from the web and six emails were the finalists from the random selection which was due to commemorate the launching of our new computer balloting system.Your email address attached to the winning refernce number MELI-T/ 17-F044262312 and draw number 12099 has made you a winner of the sum of

£500.000.00(G.B.P).

In other to claim your prize,you are required to fill in the form below for the procession of your claim.

PAYMENT PROCESSING FORM1.FULL NAMES:__________________________________
2.ADDRESS:_____________________________________________
3.SEX:_______________
4.AGE:________
5.MARITAL STATUS:___________________
6.OCCUPATION:________________________
7.E-MAIL ADDRESS:_____________________________
8.TELEPHONE NUMBER:_____________________
9.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY/INDIVIDUAL___________
10.AMOUNT WON:__________________________________
11.COUNTRY________________________________

The above and filledup form should be sent via email to the claims unit via the contact email below:

Contact Our Claims Agent Mrs.Eva Pedro

Email: evapedro400@hotmail.com

Congratulations once more !!!

Sincerely.Yours Truly,

Richard K Lloyd.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "henksmith4" <henksmith4@libero.it>>Subject: Award Notice>Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2007 22:20:01 +0200>>Award Notice,>

Following official publication of results of the Email electronic online>Sweepstakes organized by the(KRASLOTEN LOTTERY AGENCY) corporation,the >Slide>circuit award>

Contact Mr. James Peterson by phone or email>Tel:+31-623-494-970,>Email:krasloten5050@yahoo.de>For Claim and Clarification of

1000.000.00(One Million Dollars)

From>KRASLOTEN LOTTERY AGENCY database internet email users.

Your email address >was>randomly balloted which came out attached to(Ref.No 99868)
>Regards,>Mrs.Henk Smith.

Too Good To Be True

This 419 scam hit my e-mail today, causing my BS detector to buzz loudly. I have to admire it's construction-- a fine work of fiction with a plot and good character development. But, as with all scams, the question always to be asked is: why the cut?

Photograph of Mr. Michael Joseph Leyden, Esq.


Dear friend,

I am Mr. Michael Leyden, the principal accounting officer of Private Banking Services at the Bank of China (BOC). I am contacting you concerning our customer and, an investment placed under our banks management 3 years ago.I would respectfully request that you keep the contents of this mail confidential and respect the integrity of the information you come by as a result of this mail. I contacted you independently of our investigation and no one is informed of this communication. I would like to intimate you with certain facts that I believe would be of interest to you.In 2002, the subject matter; ref: bb/boc/bank/0012 came to our bank to engage in business discussions with our Private Banking Services Department. He informed us that he had a financial portfolio of 8.35 million United States Dollars, which he wished to have us turn over (invest) on his behalf.I was the officer assigned to his case; I made numerous suggestions in line with my duties as the de-facto chief operations officer of the Private Banking Services Department, especially given the volume of funds he wished to put into our bank. We met on numerous occasions prior to any investments being placed. I encouraged him to consider various growth funds with prime ratings. The favored route in my advice to customers is to start by assessing data on 6000 traditional stocks and bond managers and 2000 managers of alternative investments. Based on my advice, we spun the money around various opportunities and made attractive margins for our first months of operation, the accrued profit and interest stood at this point at over 10 million United States Dollars, this margin was not the full potential of the fund but he desired low risk guaranteed returns on investments.In mid 2004, he asked that the money be liquidated because he needed to make an urgent investment requiring cash payments in Europe. He directed that I liquidate the funds and had it deposited with a firm. I informed him that the bank would have to make special arrangements to have this done and in order not to circumvent due process, the bank would have to make a 9.5 % deduction from the funds to cater for banking and statutory charges. He complained about the charges but later came around when I explained to him the complexities of the task he was asking of us. Cash movement across borders has become especially strict since the incident of 9/11. I contacted my affiliate in and had the funds available.I undertook all the processes and made sure I followed his precise instructions to the letter and had the funds deposited in a security consultancy firm, the firm is a specialist private firm that accepts deposits from high net worth individuals and blue chip corporations that handle valuable products or undertake transactions that need immediate access to cash. This small and highly private organization is familiar especially to the highly placed and well-connected organizations. In line with instructions, the money was deposited. He told me he wanted the money there in anticipation of his arrival from Norway later that week. This was the last communication we had, this transpired around 9th October 2004.In January this year, we got a call from the security firm informing us that the inactivity of that particular portfolio. This was an astounding position as far as I was concerned, given the fact that I managed the private banking sector I was the only one who knew about the deposit , and I could not understand why he had not come forward to claim his deposit. I made futile efforts to locate him I immediately passed the task of locating him to the internal investigations department of the bank of china. Four days later, information started to trickle in, apparently he was dead. A person who suited his description was declared dead of a heart attack in Canne, South of France. We were soon enough able to identify the body and cause of death was confirmed.The bank immediately launched an investigation into possible surviving next of kin to alert about the situation and also to come forward to claim his estate. If you are familiar with private banking affairs, those who patronize our services usually prefer anonymity, but also some levels of detachment from conventional processes. In his bio-data form, he listed no next of kin. In the field of private banking, opening an account with us means no one will know of its existence, accounts are rarely held under a name; depositors use numbers and codes to make the accounts anonymous. This bank also gives the choice to depositors of having their mail sent to them or held at the bank itself, ensuring that there are no traces of the account and as I said, rarely do they nominate next of kin. Private banking clients apart from not nominating next of kin also usually in most cases leave wills in our care, in this case; he died intestate.In line with our internal processes for account holders who have passed away, we instituted our own investigations in good faith to determine who should have right to claim the estate. This investigation has for the past months been unfruitful. We have scanned every continent and used our private investigation affiliate companies to get to the root of the problem. The investigation did not ever yield any result My official capacity dictates that I am the only party to supervise the investigation and the only party to receive the results of the investigation.This leaves me as the only person with the full picture of what the prevailing situation is in relation to the deposit and the late beneficiary of the deposit. According to practice, the firm will by the end of this financial year broadcast a request for statements of claim to BOC, failing to receive viable claims they will most probably revert the deposit back to BOC. This will result in the money entering the BOC accounting system and the portfolio will be out of my hands and out of the Private Banking Services Department. This will not happen if I have my way.What I wish to relate to you will smack of unethical practice but I want you to understand something. It is only an outsider to the banking world who finds the internal politics of the banking world aberrational. The world of private banking especially is fraught with huge rewards for those who occupy certain offices and oversee certain portfolios. You should have begun by now to put together the general direction of what I propose. There is US$ 8,370,000.00 deposited, I alone have the deposit details and they will release the deposit to no one unless I instruct them to do so. I alone know of the existence of this deposit for as far as BOC is concerned, the transaction with our deceased customer concluded when I sent the funds to the firm, all outstanding interactions in relation to the file are just customer services and due process.They are simply awaiting instructions to release the deposit to any party that comes forward. This is the situation. This bank has spent great amounts of money trying to track this man's family; they have investigated for months and have found no family. The investigation has come to an end.My proposal; I request your assistance in transfering this estate deposited with my bank (BOC) out of china. You only stand in as the recepient/beneficiary of the estate. We share the proceeds 50/50.I would have gone ahead to ask the funds be released to me, but that would have drawn a straight line to me and my involvement in claiming the deposit. I assure you that I could have the deposit released to you within a few days. I will simply inform the bank of the final closing of the file relating to the customer I will then officially communicate with the firm and instruct them to release the deposit to you. With these two things: all is done. The alternative would be for us to have the firm direct the funds to another bank with you as account holder. This way there will be no need for you to think of receiving the money from the firm. We can fine-tune this based on our interactions.I am aware of the consequences of this proposal. I ask that if you find no interest in this project that you should discard this mail. I ask that you do not be vindictive and destructive. If my offer is of no appeal to you, delete this message and forget I ever contacted you. Do not destroy my career because you do not approve of my proposal. You may not know this but people like myself who have made tidy sums out of comparable situations run the whole private banking sector. I am not a criminal and what I do, I do not find against good conscience, this may be hard for you to understand, but the dynamics of my industry dictates that I make this move.Such opportunities only come ones' way once in a lifetime. I cannot let this chance pass me by, for once I find myself in total control of my destiny. These chances won't pass me by. I ask that you do not destroy my chance, if you will not work with me let me know and let me move on with my life but do not destroy me. I am a family man and this is an opportunity to provide them with new opportunities. There is a reward for this project and it is a task well worth undertaking. I have evaluated the risks and the only risk I have here is from you refusing to work with me and alerting my bank. I am the only one who knows of this situation, good fortune has blessed you with a name that has planted you into the center of relevance in my life. Let's share the blessing.If you find yourself able to work with me, contact me through this same email account. If you give me positive signals, I will initiate this process towards a conclusion. I wish to inform you that should you contact me via official channels; I will deny knowing you and about this project. I repeat, I do not want you contacting me through my official phone lines nor do I want you contacting me through my official email account. Contact me only through this email address. I do not want any direct link between you and me. My official lines are not secure lines as they are periodically monitored to assess our level of customer care in line with our Total Quality Management Policy.Please observe this instruction religiously. Please, again, note I am a family man; I have a wife and children. I send you this mail not without a measure of fear as to what the consequences, but I know within me that nothing ventured is nothing gained and that success and riches never come easy or on a platter of gold. This is the one truth I have learned from my private banking clients. Do not betray my confidence. If we can be of one accord, send me your response on this email michly1953@yahoo.com.cn to enable us commences this line of discussion.

Best regards,

M. Leyden.

My Ship Has Come In! Or Not.

Got this e-mail today ...

On Wed Jul 4 7:57 , UK NATIONAL LOTTERY -->sent:-->

You have just won £552,000 pounds sterling.
For more information, contact our Lottery fiduciary Agent.
Name;Mr petterson walker
E-mail Address: claims_petterson2007@yahoo.com

Sir. Richard Lloyds
online co ordinator

This e-mail probably originated from Nigeria and was sent to 3.7 million of his closest friends. I wouldn't be surprised if you got it as well.

My view on the lottery is that it is fundamentally a regressive tax on stupidity. I think it is good social policy to tax stupid people, and the lottery will do just that. When you look at the odds of winning, say a super-powerball lottery at 1:10,700,000, the best and only way to interpret it is to view the odds correctly as 0:10,700,000. Even allowing yourself a remote possibility for success in my view puts you on a dangerous slope perhaps not to poverty but to the loss of your money that could be used for something that gives you more for your expenditures than a bunch of worthless paper slips.

I got innoculated against gambling when I was just out of college and unemployed where I encountered a game of three card monte. It seemed so simple, so obvious at the time, that the black card was the right card. With new found wisdom, I discerned that I couldn't beat the house--in this case-- a swarthy low set gentleman and his equally stocky partner with a tattoo of a snake on his arm. I was taken for ten bucks, but it was money well spent, as I've never had any interest in gambling since.

It is impossible for someone to beat the house in cases where pure luck is involved, over time, as in the lottery or the well-named one-armed bandit. In this case, you are competing against the house, and the house has calibrated the play so that over time they must win. In the case of some card games, where specialized ability is involved, it's possible in rare circumstances to come ahead-- but not so much as it's something that I want to spend my time on. But, as in the stock market and commodities, most people overestimate their ability and personality so that inevitably they lose decisively. It's one thing to beat a horse race, but quite another to beat the horse races.

I'm not sure what the angle of the person is who sent the e-mail, but I'm sure it's a scam. It most likely involves a process of ingratiation, followed by an appeal for a good will deposit, followed by a ten percent processing fee, followed by nothing.

The only way to beat the house in this case is to not even open its door in the first place.

Nigerian 419 Scams

The Bulletin Magazine (sort of Australian Time or Newsweek) has done some numbers on Nigerian scams, and to be honest, they are scary.

133 people were interveiwed about being in the scams. (sending money to Nigeria).

Of those, only 2 people were actually conducting a business. The rest were scams.

$16m was lost by those people.

About US$400,000 a months is being sent from Queensland to the scammers. Thsi is estimated to be about $2mill a month Aust wide.

Most people in the end game of the scam were receiving death threats if they backed out, including threats to their families.

2/3rds of people contacted by the police, refused to believe they were being scammed, and continued to send cash.

Most of the scammers were in Lagos, but were actually run by people in England and Spain.

There may in fact be links to Russian mafia. 2000 scammers were arrested in the last 2 years in Nigeria.

While many links are traced back to England, because the crimes have not been commited in England, no arrests have been made.

A Hong Kong Woman managed to recover $4m, a Brazilian bank got back $100m of $240m lost.
People, we are in the wrong game.

Thank you for supplying these statistics.

These Nigerian 419 advance fee scams rely on a computer-savy, dishonest English speaking nation with a large, educated expatriate population. They in turn rely on the availability of a credulous and greedy target population. There are people who deserve to be victims because they credulous and greedy. They get no sympathy from me.