Nigeria, why are you so weird all the time?

From: "Mr. Kola Johnson"
Subject: From the desk of Mr. Kola Johnson
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:54:48 -0700

Zenith Bank plc
From the desk of Mr. Kola Johnson
Director, International Remittance Dept.
Eagle Square, Abuja – Nigeria.

Attn: Sir,

Upon the heel of the International Community Protest to the
International Monetary Fund office IMF in respect of non payment of your over due
fund with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

We the zenith bank plc has been appointed by the President Federal
Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'adua upon the directives of the
IMF to direct you on how to receive your fund with our bank.

However, be informed that your payment including the interest has been
deposited in an escrow account of the Federal Government, which will be
release to you through diplomatic cash delivery to your door-step, As
soon as we receive your reply, Zenith bank will process your payment
through diplomatic cash delivery and send to your address.

Meanwhile, you are advise to forward to us the below information if
this option is acceptable by you.

(1) Your full Name: ………………..
(2) Your direct telephone numbers for easy contact…
(3) your international passport or any valid ID: ……………
(4) Your home address or your company address where you want the fund
to be delivered to you, that is all.

As soon as we receive an email from you with the above requirements, we
shall not hesitate to proceed on the release of your funds by this
bank.

I therefore, implore you to expedite action in your respond today.

Yours Truly,

MR. Kola Johnson
Director, International Remittance Dept.

[End Email]

Hey, they mentioned …the IMF!! The Impossible Mission Force! I once found a coin that had an IMF insignia. Must have been a toy or kids' thing. Or maybe the IMF is hunting me down…

Well, I better get around to honoring their request, and "expedite action in [my] respond." After all, sending a late "respond" is never good!

Let's see…

(1) Your full Name: Stratovarius Megatrend
(2) Your direct telephone numbers for easy contact… My numbers? 8, 5, and… 0
(3) your international passport or any valid ID: …………… Death Certificate
(4) Your home address or your company address where you want the fund
to be delivered to you, that is all. 123 Fake Street, Springfield, USA

That last one sounded like someone talking to themselves, imagining a negative response, and then justifying what they originally said. "Your home address or your company address." "What???" "Where you want the fund to be delivered to you, that's all!!"

Oh, ok. Why didn't you say so in the first place?

I like "The Daily Show." Occasionally, I'll tune in to watch a new episode as soon as it airs. It's fun to find out about something the same time as everybody else watching.

When it finishes up, my brain gets to thinking:

"Ha ha, what a great show. Oh, it's over. Well, at least now I can enjoy some relaxing theme music as I watch the credits. Na, na na na na na na Na, na na na na… Hey, is something wrong with the screen? It looks like there's a problem… is that a Phantom Image?"

When I was younger, I remember having seen a problem with the TV signal more than a few times. One channel would be showing its programming mostly fine, but you could also see faint images of another channel trying to intrude. They were almost transparent, but the action they revealed was cohesive enough that you could recognize the source of the image by switching channels a bit. Usually the intruder's origin was one or two channels above or below the one you were already watching.

I noticed that a similar thing seems to happen on Comedy Central during the credits. A black background is shown on the left half of the screen, with the credits in white text. Meanwhile, the right half of the screen is divided into two (more or less square) areas, top and bottom. The bottom area shows the name of the program that just ended, or the program coming up next. The top usually shows some content from the ending show, like an extended Moment of Zen.

It is in that upper right-half area that I noticed the Phantom Image. But what channel was it coming from?

Initially I thought it was actually a lingering image from earlier in the show. Part of my reasoning for this conclusion drew on another thing I'd noticed. When I was watching Comedy Central credits, as soon as they ended I'd usually see a quick flash of a still image, which appeared to have been a piece of the pre-credit broadcast. So like if Stephen Colbert was saying hello on "The Daily Show," and then the credits aired, they'd finish and for a split second you might see Colbert frozen in mid-wave (as opposed to a still shot of Colbert introducing a new "Colbert Report"). That image would then be immediately replaced by the next show, or a commercial. So it seemed like data from within the previous show was "spilling over" during the credits. That must explain the Phantom Image… problem solved… Right?

Wrong.

I noticed something else recently. Something far more sinister.

I don't know the name of the show that had just ended. But I do recall that I was paying greater attention to the Phantom Image during the credits. Again, it seemed to overlay the upper right quadrant of the screen, but just barely enough so that you would probably dismiss it if you weren't paying attention. This time I was lucky enough to get a good look at the enigma.

It appears that the Phantom Image is really a near-transparent textual ad, fading in and out, that reads something like "ComedyCentral.com".

My original guess had given the network the benefit of the doubt. "Oh, it's just a data transmission error." But now, it seems apparent that the network is trying to fool its viewers into feeling oddly attracted to the Comedy Central website.

Will they deny this issue, as the Food Network denied having intentionally placed a screenshot of a McDonald's logo directly into the middle of their program?

Will Comedy Central remove the offending transparency and claim that I, the writer of this post, am insane?

Will anybody even care?

Stay tuned next week for an all new episode of "South Park!"

I'm rising so fast in this world. My bank account is bursting with credits thanks to all these opportunities I keep hearing about via email, and now I'm dealing with royalty! If they could see me now…

[Begin Email]

Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 05:56:41 -0800
From: "Prince Fayad Bolkiah"
Subject: I look forward to your prompt response

Plain Text Attachment:

Dear Friend,

I got your reliable contact from a business diary and further explicit
investment information about your country. I am Prince Fayad S.
Bolkiah, the eldest son of Prince Jefri Bolkiah, former Finance Minister of
Brunei, the tiny oil-rich sultanate on the Gulf Island. I will save your
time by not amplifying my extended royal family history, which has
already been disseminated by the international media during the
controversial dispute that erupted between my Father and his step brother, the
sultan of Brunei Sheik Muda Hassanal Bolkiah.

As you may know from the international media, the sultan had accused my
father of financial mismanagement and impropriety of US$14.8 Billion
dollars. This was as a result of the Asian financial crisis that made my
father's company Amedeo Development Company and government owned
Brunei Investment Company to be declared bankrupt during his tenure in
office. However my father was kept under house arrest, his bank accounts and
private Properties including a crude oil export refinery were later
confiscated by the sultanate.

Furthermore during this unfortunate period, I was advised to evacuate
my immediate family outside the sultanate to avoid further prosecution
from the sultan and his security operatives, but before I could do that
I was placed under house arrest by the Sultan and have no access to a
phone but I have a Palm hand-held computer from which I am sending you
this mail. Some of the guard here are still loyal to me, so they would
be my contact with you if there is any document I need to send to you to
enable you collect the boxes of money on my behalf.

Before my incarceration, I went ahead to dispatch the sum of Five
Hundred Million United States Dollars (US$500,000,000.00) in cash under
special arrangement into the custody of different private security and
Trustee companies for safe keeping abroad. Just like an unspecified amount
of money Sadam Husseine took out of Iraq in cash .
The money were splited and kept in the following countries in this
proportion: US$200 Million is in Spain, US$150 Million is in United Arab
Emirate and US$150 Million is in UK.
Hence I seek your good assistance to invest these funds into profitable
investment in your country to facilitate future survival for my family
abroad. After due deliberation with my aids we have decided to offer
20% of these funds to you as compensation for your strong cooperation
while 5% have been mapped out for both local and international expenses
that may be incurred during this transaction.

Please I count on your absolute confidentiality, transparency and trust
while looking forward to your prompt reply towards a swift conclusion
of this business transaction. You may contact me so that i will let
you know the next thing to do.
Many Thanks and may Allah's blessing remain with you.

Best Regards
Prince Fayad S. Bolkiah.

You can visit the websites below for a better understanding of the
situation.

http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/magazine/2000/0310/nat.brunei.jefri.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/670959.stm

[End Email]

Oh gee whiz, if this message has links to real-life stories, it must be true! Just like how someone proclaiming "Armageddon is tomorrow" is going to be 100% correct, as long as they are holding a Bible. (To be clear, what I mean is this: Verifying a situation in general [citing an external source that vaguely alludes to what is being said] does not verify specifics [i.e., the stuff in the email].) And yet I've gotten a few different messages like that. "Look, you're rich! See this random news story? That proves it!!"

But at least the email is very clear in what it expects of me. "Please I count on your absolute confidentiality, transparency and trust…" Ok, so I'll keep this matter confidential… And if anyone asks I'll be completely transparent and tell them everything… Hey waaaiiitt…! Hmm, that's a conundrum. Oh well, I'll just wait for the next "chance of a lifetime" message to reach me. Thanks, fate!

And just as a side note, I wonder what will happen to all the oil-rich nations when today's biggest oil customers achieve energy-independence? I'm thinking some form of — turmoil. And end to the Term of Oil.

Nigeria, how could you? You are doing yourself a disservice by sending these messages…

[Begin Email]

Date: 27 Feb 2008 08:51:16 -0500
Subject: RESOLUTION PANEL ON CONTRACT PAYMENT
From: "MR.ROGER BERNALDEZ."

OFFICE OF THE SENATE HOUSE

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN PAYMENT

(RESOLUTION PANEL ON CONTRACT PAYMENT)

IKOYI-LAGOS NIGERIA

Our Ref: FGN /SNT/STB.

Your Ref.

THIS IS TO OFFICIALLY INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE VERIFIED YOUR INHERITANCE

FILE AND FOUND OUT THAT WHY YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR PAYMENT IS

BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT FULFILLED THE OBLIGATIONS GIVEN TO YOU IN RESPECT
OF

YOUR CONTRACT/INHERITANCE PAYMENT.

SECONDLY WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT YOU ARE STILL DEALING WITH THE
NONE>

OFFICIALS IN THE BANK YOUR ENTIRE ATTEMPT TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF THE

FUND TO YOU. WE WISH TO ADVISE YOU THAT SUCH AN ILLEGAL ACT LIKE THESE

HAVE TO STOP IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT SINCE WE HAVE DECIDED

TO BRING A SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ARRANGED YOUR

PAYMENT THROUGH OUR SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTER ASIA PACIFIC THAT IS THE

LATEST INSTRUCTION FROM MR. PRESIDENT, UMARU YAR'ADUA (GCFR) FEDERAL

REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AND FBI.

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 TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS PER DAY, SO IF YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE
YOU

FUND THIS WAY PLEASE LET US KNOW BY CONTACTING THE INTERNATIONAL

MONETARY FUNDS DEPARTMENT CARD PAYMENT CENTER MR. CHARLES BROWN ON HIS

EMAIL charlybrow12345@yahoo.it

ADDRESS: AND ALSO SEND THE FOLLOWING

INFORMATION:

1. YOUR FULL NAME:

2. PHONE AND FAX NUMBER:

3. ADDRESS WERE YOU WANT THEM TO SEND THE ATM CARD:

4. YOUR AGE AND CURRENT OCCUPATION:

THE ATM CARD PAYMENT CENTER HAS BEEN MANDATED TO ISSUE OUT

USD6.3MILLION AS PART PAYMENT FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR 2007. ALSO FOR YOUR
INFORMATION,

YOU HAVE TO STOP ANY FURTHER COMMUNICATION WITH ANY OTHER PERSON(S)

OR OFFICE(S) TO AVOID ANY HITCHES IN RECEIVING YOUR PAYMENT. FOR ORAL

DISCUSSION, EMAIL ME BACK AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE

FOR FURTHER DIRECTION AND ALSO UPDATE ME ON ANY DEVELOPMENT FROM THE

ABOVE-MENTIONED OFFICE. NOTE THAT BECAUSE OF IMPOSTORS, WE HEREBY

ISSUED YOU OUR CODE OF CONDUCT, WHICH IS (ATM-822) SO YOU HAVE TO
INDICATE

THIS CODE WHEN CONTACTING THE CARD CENTER BY USING IT AS YOUR SUBJECT.

KINDEST REGARDS,

MR. ROGER BERNALDEZ.

SENATE PRESIDENT

[End Email]

Charlie Brown! What a ridiculous email: charlybrow12345@yahoo.it It's like a child chose it. And it's supposed to belong to the international monetary funds department card payment center representative… Yeah right!

This is one of the very few times when a piece of spam has warned me that not cooperating is illegal. "WE WISH TO ADVISE YOU THAT SUCH AN ILLEGAL ACT LIKE THESE HAVE TO STOP IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT…" Some of this stuff just makes me feel sick. Sick for the people who come up with this stuff. Sick for the people who play along, hoping to get rich somehow. Sick for all the dishonesty involved, and for the destructive nature of this venture. All these efforts could be turned toward more constructive pursuits, but no… Let's tear down society for a few quick bucks, one ignorant person at a time.

I am amassing quite a fortune. I should really think about looking into Swedish banking!

[Begin Email]

Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:20:28 -0600 (CST)
Subject: Hello!
From: "Multi-State Lottery Association"

Draw Details:
Ref Number: PW 9590 ES 9414
Batch Number: 573881545-NL/2006
Ticket draw Number: 2, 19, 22, 26, 32,
"Hot Ball: 16" WINNER ONLY

You have won one of our Jackpot prizes. You have won yourself a cash
prize
of $2.490 Million USD (Two million Four Hundred And Ninety Thousand
United States Dollars)

An e-mail address attached to Ref Number: PW 9590 ES 9414
Batch Number:573881545-NL/2006
Ticket draw Number: 2, 19, 22, 26, 32,

Contact our claims officer:
Mr.Roland White Email: vwd033@strompost.net
_________________________________________
Send your information for immediate payment: Name In Full,Address In
Full,Telephone/Fax number In Full,Nationality, Age,Country,Occupation

Yours faithfully,
Online co-ordinator
Donald Baldwin.

[End Email]

What a weird name for a claims officer: Mr. Roland White Email. Who names their kid Email? Anyway, I'm glad I won the full $2.490 Million. That's 2 million, plus 400 thousand, plus ninety thousand, plus zero thousand. It's a good thing they kept that zero on there, otherwise I might have missed out on all that "extra" cash! In order to contact them, I plan (no, not really) on sending them my Name In Full, my Address In Full, my Telephone/Fax number In Full, but then only part of my Nationality, the "tens" digit of my Age, the first three letters of my Country, and an abbreviation of my Occupation!

Hey wait, did this come from a Baldwin Brother?

I rule so much. Why doesn't anybody recognize how much I rule? At least Morrison Esq. is aware of all my great efforts. (Singing:) I can't wait for payday…

[Begin Email]

Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:30:47 -0500
From: "Morrison Esq."
Subject: COMPENSATION & THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT EFFORTS.

I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds
transferred under the co-operation of a new partner from Paraguay.
Presently I'm in Paraguay for investment projects with my own share
of the total sum.

It may interest you to note that I didn't forget your past efforts
and attempts to assist me in transferring the funds though you were
not able to see it through for whatever reasons. After due
consideration, I have decided to compensate you for your efforts.

I have issued a check of $800,000 for you and had to drop it with
Karolla Express Courier Service in Nigeria and you are to contact them
with the following information as stated below for re-affirmation and
to ensure a safe delivery.

Full Name: ………………………
Address: ………………………..
Phone Number: ……………………

Note that the shipment fee and the insurance of the check has been
paid by me and the only fee you will be required to pay is $220
being the security charges for duration the check has been in their
possession. I would have made the payment but I do not know when
you will get in touch with them as the charges increases with the
amount of days they secure it. Endeavour you contact them immediately
before the security charge increases with days.

You are to contact them through the information as stated below
and note that the only fee you are to pay is the Security Charges
as every other stable fees has been paid.

Karolla Express Service Nigeria
EMAIL: karollacourierservices@strompost.com
Tel: +(234)-807-782-2142

I'm very busy here because of the investment projects which I
and my partner are involved in. Note that I have instructed
Karolla Express on your behalf to this effect. Get in touch with them
and they will ensure you get the check.

Thanks once again for all you effort during the course of the
transfer.

[End Email]

They sure don't want that much personal information. Heck, all they'd need is a phone book to get some random person's name, address, and phone number. Oh, I see, they want the $220 "security charge," which will likely be higher by the time I contact them (as if!). I wonder what kind of investment project Morrison and his partner are involved in to keep them so busy? Maybe some sort of security charge hustle?

In the real world, large sums of money rarely get transferred around as rewards for "efforts." The cash only changes hands in the event of solid results. So that's dumb. But some people are desperate, and deeply want to believe in the power of human kindness — and free money.

Lately I've developed a theory that some of these spammer-scammers have created their own moral judgement system for who is a worthy con. They craft an email in such a way that anyone they hook must be dishonest. Like, "I forgot the name of the person I'm going to pay half a million bucks to. Is it you?" That way, anybody who answers will be lying, and therefore "deserve" to be conned out of their hard-earned cash.

I got this one today. It freaked me out because I remember getting a similar one in the past, and at the time I was a little bit closer to taking it seriously. I had read the earlier "opportunity" over with some curiosity and doubt, and I think I ended up dismissing it more because I figured they contacted the wrong guy (what training did I have in order to qualify for the position?), and less because I realized it was a scam. Yikes! Don't you hate it when you catch your previous self in a moment of ignorance?

[Begin Email]

Subject: Hello
From: "Chen Hsongs Holdings Limited"
Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:13:38 +0300 (MSK)

Dear Sir/madam,

I am the GBM (Chairman) of Chen Hsong Holdings Limited This Company
Established since 1958. After half a century of endless efforts, Chen
Hsong has grown from a small machinery workshop to one of the largest
manufacturers of injection moulding machines in the world.Chen Hsong
Holdings Limited, Produces, Exclusive circular platen (patended), ichen
shop- floor Networked management system, Ductile iron casting and
machining, Jetmaster minijet series, Jetmaster MKIV series, Jetmaster large
series, CHEN-PET Two-stage preform moulding turnkey system, jetmaster C
Series, E.T.C. Due to long association with our suppliers and our thorough
understanding of the working condition in the Industry; It is upon
this note that we are writing you this mail to seek your assistance in
representing our
company in your locality as our RECEIVING AGENT/REPRESENTATIVE.One who
will act as a medium for our clients in those locality to be reaching
us with their payments and so on. Note that as a receiving Agent of
our company,You will be entitled to TEN Percent Payment of any amount you
receive from our customers We seek your Sincere cooperation and
assistance to establish a cordial relationship with our clients.To facilitate
the conclusion of this proposal if accepted,Please send us
the following Information

1) Your Full name…………..and present occupation…………

2) Telephone number…………..and Fax…………..

3) Contact address…………….

4) Age…………….

Thanks in anticipation.
Regards,
Dr. Chiang Chen
GBM (Chairman)
Chen Hsong Holdings Limited

[End Email]

So obviously they're not looking for anyone specific. Sirs and madams of the world, your destiny awaits! What can these guys do knowing your full name, age, address, phone/fax number, and job? Does this scam hinge on identity theft? Do these people call up some organization, claim to be you, and then get the info they need to open credit cards in your name? Or do they string you along somehow, and instruct you to ignorantly fulfill various random tasks, contributing to the world's supply of evil?

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The email in question was a scam. It was sent to illegally gather the recipient's personal information. I posted it here for commentary purposes only, in an effort to shed some light on the situation. I am neither affiliated with the email senders, nor do I wish to act on their behalf.

So please don't add a comment posting your personal details. Thank you.

A little while back I got notice that I've done it again — I've struck it rich through sheer will power!

[Begin Email]

Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:45:55 -0500
From: "IRISH NATIONAL LOTTERY"
Subject: Ref: LSUK/2031/8161/05

The Irish Lottery
47 Meadow Vale, Sligo, Ireland.
Ref: LSUK/2031/8161/05
Batch: R3/A312-59

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
We are pleased to announce to you the draw of the IRISH LOTTERY
PROGRAMME online Sweepstakes International Programme held on the 3rd
Feburary 2008

Your e-mail address attached to the winning ticket number: 56475600545
188 with Serial number 5368/05 drew the lucky numbers:
10,13,24,24,25,36,41,08 which subsequently won the JACKPOT. You have
therefore been approved to claim a total sum of 1,967,932GBP in cash
credited
to file KTU/9023118308/05 of Irish Lottery.

All participants for the online version were selected randomly from the
World Wide Web through a computer draw system and extracted from over
100,000 unions, associations, and corporate bodies that are listed
online. This promotion takes place weekly.
Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European
booklet representative office in Europe as indicated in your play
coupon.

In view of this, your 1,967,932GBP would be released to you by any of
our payment offices in Europe(UK).
To file for your claim, you are to fill the form and contact our
authorized claim agent in the UK(Europe) on the details below:

Mr,Agent Ken Collins
Email:ken_collins011@hotmail.com
1. Ticket number:….
2. Batch number:….
3. Serial number:….
4. Amount won:…..
5. FULL NAMES:….
6. DATE OF BIRTH:…
7. SEX:…
8. MARITAL STATUS:….
9. CONTACT ADDRESS:…
10.TELEPHONE NUMBER:….
11.OCCUPATION:….
12.ANNUAL INCOME;…

Good luck from me and members of staff of the Irish Lottery.
Sincerely
Rev.Garry Philips
Online Co-coordinator for IRISH LOTTERY SWEEPSTAKE PROGRAMME 2008.

[End Email]

It's interesting reading this thing. "Your e-mail address … won the JACKPOT … a total sum of 1,967,932GBP in cash…. All participants for the online version were selected randomly from the World Wide Web…. This promotion takes place weekly." Wow, what an interesting economic tactic, to just give away gobs of money every week to people in other countries. And they don't even charge for tickets! Where does all that money come from?

…The Devil!

I'm going to be rich. You do not understand. I've found the answer! The solution to all my financial woes! Finally I can get that new toaster…

[Begin Email]

Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:25:18 -0600 (CST)
Subject: JOB OFFER!!! WORK FROM HOME!!!.
From: "COSTA COFFEE COMPANY PLC"

JOB OFFER!!! WORK FROM HOME!!!.

DATE:18th February,2008
FROM:COSTA COFFEE COMPANY PLC.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Would you like to Work Online from home and get paid
Weekly without leaving or affecting your present Job?
COSTA COFFEE COMPANY PLC.Needs a Book-Keeper in USA.
We have Customers that we supply weekly around the world.Our
Customers make payments for our supplies every week in form of
Money Orders,Bankers Draft and Cashier's Checks,Checks which are
not readily Cashable Outside the United States and the country of
issuance.

All you Need to do is to Receive payment from Customers.
Get it Cashed at your Bank or any Financial
institution that does such tasks, then
Forward balance after deduction of percentage/pay to any
of the offices you will be contacted to send
payment to.(Payment is to forwarded either by Money Gram or
Western Union Money Transfer).
For example you've got 4000.00USD
You take your income: 400.00 USD (10%)
Send to us: 3600.00 USD

You'll have a lot of free time doing another job,you'll get good
income and regular job.
N/B: IF INTERESTED PLEASE REPLY TO MR FRANK JAMES AT
costa.coffee5687@googlemail.com WITH THE DETAILS BELOW :
=======================================
APPLICATION FORM FOR COSTA COFFEE COMPANY PLC.
FULL NAMES:_________________________________
GENDER:_________________________________
DATE OF BIRTH:_________________________________
NATIONALITY:_________________________________
COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE:_________________________________
MARITAL STATUS:_________________________________
HOME ADDRESS (Where payment will be sent to{NO P.O BOX ADDRESS})
STREET:_________________________________
CITY:_________________________________
STATE:_________________________________
ZIP CODE:_________________________________
PRIVATE TELEPHONE NUMBER:_________________________________

Thank you for your time.
I Await your Urgent Response.

Mr.Frank James,
DIRECTOR,INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION.
COSTA COFFEE COMPANY PLC HEAD OFFICE
996 RAMA 9 RD,BANGKAPI..BANGKOK…THAILAND

[End Email]

So, great! They have me deposit a bogus check, and I feel a tad wealthier. Then I pay my own good money to a third party. Soon after, their original check bounces, and I've lost the money I paid out. So who makes money? Only their "offices."

Maybe it's because I've started to pay attention to these "You've Got Money" emails, but it seems like I'm getting more lately. Not a lot, just enough to set a trend.

[Begin Email]

Eglise catholique en France

http://www.cef.fr/

Qualification numbers (CEF-080-2998-2996)
Congratulations 30th anniversary program, We are giving out a yearly
donation of
US$850,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars only) to 100
lucky recipients, ECOWAS.
To file for your claim you
are to fill out below information and send it to the Executive
Secretary Via their email contact email address
:revjeanlouis2@strompost.com
Claims Requirements:
1. Full Name:……………………………….
2. Address:…………………………………
3. Nationality:……………………………..
4. Age:………. Date of Birth:……………..
5. Occupation:……………………………….
6. Phone:…………….Fax:…………………
7. State of Origin:………..Country:……………
Regards.
Rev. François Édouard.

[End Email]

Most organizations that come to be aware of your existence will reach out and ask for your donation to them. But this organization just randomly gives away gobs of money! Maybe it wants to stimulate the economy…