Hi all:
We've all been remarking on the sillyness of the famous Nigerian "please
help me handle my stolen money" scams. Now there is a new variation on them
that could be a bit more sinister than it first appears.
I just got the appended bit of rubbish. Although it looks like the standard
"give me your bank account number" game, it is actually potentially worse.
In this case there is a box, and the unfortunate sucker appears to be
hoodwinked into acting as a drug runner in arranging to have it shipped to
their country by giving a valid shipping address associated with a normal
person. Mysteriously, I suspect that the box of money never arrives at the
front door, but once in a while the police do.
This example is actually pretty pathetic in that the guy couldn't even make
the names and the note be in the same text case. I'm just amazed that these
guys find anybody to fall for their tricks, but they wouldn't be doing it if
it didn't pay.
Beware the curse! (or is that the accursed?)
Mark
Note from a fraudster...
DEAR VALUED FRIEND,
I MAKE THIS APPEAL WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT ANY FACTS OR OPINIONS
EXPRESSED BY ME, ARE GIVEN IN CONFIDENCE AND SOLELY FOR YOUR PERSONAL
INFORMATION AND USE.
I GOT YOUR ADDRESS THROUGH THE INTERNET CONSULTANCY DIRECTORY. I AM Mr.
Emmanuel Shaw A MINISTER IN THE FORMER GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA UNDER Mr
Charles Taylor. I AM DESPERATELY SEEKING FOR A REPUTABLE FOREIGN PARTNER WHO
I CAN TRUST AND USE HIS COMPANY OR PERSONAL CONTACT TO TRANSFER SOME FUNDS
WHICH I DEPOSITED WITH A WEST AFRICAN RESERVE COMPANY IN DAKAR, SENEGAL.
THIS BOX IS CONTAINING SEVEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS, AND WAS
REGISTERED AS CONTAINING COSTUM JEWELRY AND WAS ISSUED WITH NO-INSPECION
CERTIFICATE, ONLY ISSUED TO A DEPOSITOR OF DIPLOMATIC STATUS.
THIS MONEY IS PART OF GRATIFICATIONS I RECEIVED FROM FOREIGN CONTRACTORS,
AND THROUGH TRADING IN DIAMONDS AND ARMS WHILE I WAS IN GOVERNMENT. THE
PRESENT GOVERNMENT HAS IMPOSED ECONOMIC SACTIONS ON ME, AND MY ASSETS FROZEN
IN LINE WITH A UNITED NATION'S RESOLUTION.
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3758828.stm>
THE RECEIVER OF THIS PACKAGE WILL BE PROVIDED WITH ALL APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS
REQUIRED TO CLAIM THIS CONSIGNMENT AFTER ALL PRIVILAGES HAVE BEEN TRANSFERED
IN HIS FAVOUR. I HAVE CONCLUDED ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE SECURITY COMPANY FOR
EFFECTIVE TRANSFER OF THE MONEY INTO THE RECEIVER'S NOMINATED FOREIGN
ACCOUNT FOR SAFE-CUSTODY, WHERE IT CANNOT BE TRACED.
IN APPRECIATION OF YOUR ASSISTANCE, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER YOU 30% OF THE
TOTAL AMOUNT. YOU ALSO STAND THE CHANCE OF ASSISTING ME FOR FUTURE
INVESTMENT OF MY SHARE.
THIS TRANSACTION, ALTHOUGH DISCRETE, IS LEGITIMATE AND THERE IS NO RISK OR
LEGAL LIABILITY EITHER TO YOURSELF OR MYSELF NOW OR IN THE FUTURE, AS I HAVE
PUT IN PLACE THE NECESSARY MATCHINARIES THAT WILL ENSURE A HITCH FREE
TRANSACTION.
YOU ARE TO REACH ME THROUGH THIS SECURED E-MAIL ADDRESS:
I TRUST IN THE WISDOM OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING.
BEST PERSONAL REGARDS,
Mr. Emmanuel Shaw.
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