I got this a while ago. It had the Bank of America logo on it, too. It's funny when spammers send you messages from banks that you don't do business with. But like I wrote before, PayPal scams probably snare a lot more people than ones for older, physical banking institutions.

Just as a side note, I can't believe how close we are to doing all our business electronically. (Robot Voice:) "1500 credits have been automatically deducted from your account for the toll on this newly privatized road. Have - a - nice - day."

From: bankofamerica@security.com
Subject: Security Alert - Upgrade Your Personal Account Information .
Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 03:23:22 +0100

WARNING !!
You must update
Your Account Immediately
Please Click Here

*Important*
Please update your records on or before 48 hours, a failure to update your records will result in a temporal hold on your funds.

Security Update Alert

Your primary Information for Bank of America Online Banking Need To Update.

var LetterVals = { UIStrings : { __last : 'not used' }, StateDynamic : true, yplus_browser : false, premium_user : false, smsintl : "", SidebarSyncActionType : "read", SidebarSyncAuxActionType : "", SidebarSyncUID : "4204", SidebarSyncAuxUID : "", getString : function(id) { var result = this.UIStrings[id]; if ( result == null ) { return "Not translated: '" + id + "'"; } return result; } } Bank Of America is constantly working to increase security for all Online Banking Customers . To ensure the integrity of our online payment system, we periodically review accounts.

Your account might be place on restricted status. Restricted accounts continue to receive payments, but they are limited in their ability to send or withdraw funds.

To lift up this restriction, you have to complete our verification process. You must confirm your credit card details and your billing information as well. All restricted accounts have their billing information unconfirmed, meaning that you may no longer send money from your account until you have updated your billing information on records. To initiate the update confirmation process

Please follow the link below and fill in the necessary requirements :

MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.museonoelkempff.org" claiming to be https://sitekey.bankofamerica.com/sas/signon.do

Thank you for your patience as we work together to protect your account.

——————————————————————————–

Because E-Mail Is Not A Secure Form Of Communication, This E-Mail Box Is Not Equipped To Handle Replies.
If you have any questions about your account or need assistance, please call the phone number on your statement or go to Contact Us.

——————————————————————————–

Bank of America , N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender
2007 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved

[End Email]

I enjoy being alerted to deceptive links by MailScanner. But I don't think the Scanner was the reason for all that code near the top. I assume the scammer had a glitch in his system.

Or might it have been her system? I think the stereotypical computer user would be male, and the stereotypical criminal would be male. Therefore, the stereotypical computer criminal would be double-male? Making him female. No! Wait…

I can't believe it. I just wrote about the PayPal phishing spam I got from paypal@securesuite.net. I guess since I didn't respond, the sender figures I must be French.

From: " Orange Votre Service Clients Internet " <paypal@securesuite.net>
Subject: noreply.internet@orange-ftgroup.com
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:25:47 +0100

Cher client Orange Internet,

Orange est déterminé à maintenir un environnement sain pour notre communauté de clients. Pour protéger la sécurité de votre compte, Orange emploie certains des systèmes de sécurité les plus avancés au monde et notre équipe anti- fraude écran régulièrement le système Orange pour toute activité inhabituelle.

Nous sommes avec vous pour rappeler que le 24 mars 2008 de notre équipe chargée de l'examen du compte identifié certains activité inhabituelle sur votre compte. Conformément à l'Accord d'utilisation de Orange et d'assurer que votre compte n'a pas été compromis, l'accès à votre compte a été limité. Votre compte d'accès restera limité jusqu'à ce que ce problème a été résolu.

Pour sécuriser votre compte et de rétablir rapidement un accès complet, nous pouvons exiger des informations supplémentaires de votre part pour la raison suivante:

Nous avons été informés que d'une Orange associée à votre compte a été signalé comme perdu ou volé, ou qu'il ya eu d'autres problèmes avec votre compte.

Ce processus est notre obligatoire, et si cela n'est pas accompli dans le temps le plus proche de votre compte ou de carte de crédit peuvent faire l'objet d'une suspension temporaire.

Pour sécuriser votre compte et de rétablir rapidement un accès complet, nous pouvons exiger des informations supplémentaires de votre part pour la raison suivante:

MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "jacquemard.biz" claiming to be ht tp://id.orange.fr/auth_user/bin/auth_user.cgi?origine=wg

S’il vous plaît à noter répondre à ce message.

Cette boîte aux lettres n'est pas suivi et que vous ne recevrez pas de réponse.

Merci pour l'aide de Orange

[End Email]

Ay dios mio! Let's just see what the old Alta Vista has to say about this…

Here's the Babel Fish Translation of the email message from French to English:

Dear customer Orange Internet,

Orange is given to maintain an environment healthy for our community of customers.

To protect safety from your account, Orange employs some of the most advanced systems of safety in the world and our anti team defrauds screen regularly the Orange system for any unusual activity.

We are with you to recall that on 24 unquestionable March 2008 of our team in charge of the examination of the account identified unusual activity on your account.

In accordance with the Agreement of use of Orange and to ensure that your account was not compromised, the access on your account was limited.

Your account of access will remain limited until this problem was solved.

To make safe your account and to restore a complete access quickly, we can require additional information of your share for the following reason: We were informed that of an Orange associated on your account was announced as lost or stolen, or that it ya have other problems with your account.

This process is our obligatory, and if that is not accomplished in time nearest to your account or credit card can be the subject of a deferment.

To make safe your account and to restore a complete access quickly, we can require additional information of your share for the following reason: [Fraudulent Link]

Please to note to answer this message. This letter-box is not followed and that you will not receive an answer.

Thank you for the assistance for Orange

[End Translation]

Ok, so it seems that they want the same info as they did before, and for the same reason. "Somebody" tried to "break" "into" "my" account, and now it's "froooozennnn." Good thing I know French!

I wonder if everyone who got that old spam got this new one too? Or maybe just those who "failed" to act…

I got this a little while ago. Scary stuff.

[Begin Email]

From: paypal@securesuit.net
Subject: PayPal
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:39:57 +0100

We recently have determined that different computers have logged onto your Paypal account, and multiple password failures were present before the logons. We now need you to re-confirm your account information to us. If this is not completed by March 20, 2008, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely, as it may have been used for fraudulent purposes. We thank you for your cooperation in this manner. To confirm your Online Banking records click on the following link: >>> Click here <<< Thank you for your patience in this matter. Paypal Customer Service. Please do not reply to this e-mail as this is only a notification. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered. 1999-2008 PayPal. All rights reserved.

[End Email]

Like most companies, I believe PayPal will never ask you to confirm anything via email. And of course, securesuit.net is not PayPal.

Lots of people use PayPal. I was just thinking that the difference between PayPal and a normal bank is that PayPal is probably far more universally used and recognized. So a scammer catering to PayPal customers would have a much larger "sucker" pool.

Don't be a sucker! If you get a message like that, forward it to spoof@paypal.com.

Man! I'm so rich, I know so many professional people, and I'm in such good standing with Nigeria these days! I can't wait to spend my millions of dollars…

[Begin Email]

From: "UNITED NATIONS"
Subject: ATM FROM CBN
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2008 07:36:15 -0800

From The Desk Of
Prof. Charles Soludo
Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
SUBJECT: Immediate Release of Your FUND Via ATM CARD

Attention: ATM Card Beneficiary,
I wish to use this medium to inform you that your CONTRACT/INHERITANCE
Payment of USD$10,000,000.00 (Ten Million United States Dollars) from
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA have been RELEASED and APPROVED for onward
transfer to you via an ATM CARD which you will use to withdraw all the
USD$10,000,000.00 in any ATM SERVICE MACHINE in any part of the world,
but the maximum you can withdraw in a day is USD$10,000.00 Only
We have mandated CITI BANK IN NIGERIA to send you the ATM CARD and
PIN NUMBER which you will use to withdraw all your USD$10 Million
Dollars in any ATM SERVICE MACHINE in any part of the world, but the
maximum you can withdraw in a day is USD$10,000.00 Only.
You are therefore advice to contact the Head of ATM CARD Department of
CITIBANK NIGERIA
Contact Person: DR MICHEAL BROWN
TEL 234 80 22348461 OR 234 7027682725

Tell DR MICHEAL BROWN that you received a message from the CENTRAL
BANK OF NIGERIA. Instructing him to send you the ATM CARD and PIN
NUMBER which you will use to withdraw your USD$10 Million Dollars in
any ATM SERVICE MACHINE in any part of the world, also send him your
direct phone number and contact address where you want him to send the
ATM CARD and PIN NUMBER to you As you will take care of the little
insurance and shipment fees
We are very sorry for the plight you have gone through in the past
years. Thanks for adhering to this instruction and once again accept
our congratulations.
Best Regards.
Mrs brown
for
Prof. Charles C. Soludo.
Executive Governor,
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

[End Email]

Sent from frnpresidency@gmail.com. Wow, a foreign Presidency? Wow, gMail?! I must really be making an impression.

Professor Soludo is so nice to acknowledge the "the plight [I] have gone through in the past years." How very kind. It has been tough. What with everything going on, and all. It will be nice to finally have access to an ATM card that can withdraw more than a couple hundred bucks at a time. $10,000, here I come! But I wonder if I can tweak things so that I can eliminate all those extra trips? It would be really great if I could just walk right up to the corner ATM, the one with the card-washing station, and withdraw the full Ten Million in one fell swoop. I think I'll give that a try tonight!

***Update: It didn't work.

Ha ha, fooled you! I didn't really try it. I just thought it was funny to picture someone going up to a random ATM and planning on taking out $10 million! That's crazy…

By the way, just in case you hadn't heard about this before, a card-washing station next to an ATM is usually a means for thieves to gain access to your card information and or funds. So don't wash your cards! Dirt is back in style.

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'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.