cherry

this is an email which i received today.....made me giggle first off cos they obviously think I am a bloke Being a Dr and having an email address which in no way reveals my gender prob confused the poor princess hehe. I removed my surname for obvious reasons I was wondering how many others receive such bizarre emails and if anyone has ever replied to any - and if they have - what happened ??? I was wondering where this person got my name and email from at first but then i do have a few things published on the internet so i guess its not too hard to fathom.

Dear Dr .........

I got your contact from the internet, and picked interest to write you.I am a female student of University of Cotonou Republic Du Benin. I am 24 yrs old. I do like any person who can be caring, loving and home oriented. I will love to have a long-term relationship with you and to know more about you. I would like to build up a solid foundation with you in time coming if you will be able to help me in this transaction.

Well, my father died earlier two months ago and left me and my younger brother behind. He was a king, which our town citizens titled him before he died. I was a princess to him and I am the only person who can take care of his wealth now because my younger brother is still a kid and my mother is not literate enough to know my entire father's wealth.

He left $27,350,000 [Twenty Seven Million Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars)with an oversea security company and I don't know how to start up with the whole thing and what I will do to invest this money somewhere in abroad, so that my father's kindred will not take over what belongs to my father and his name, which they are planning to do without my consent because I am a female as stated by our culture in the town. That is why I felt happy when I saw your contact because I strongly believe that by the grace of God, you will surely help me invest this money. I am ready to pay 20% of the total amount to you if you will sincerely help us in this business and another 10%interest of annual income to you, for handling this business for us, which you will strongly have absolute control over.

If you will handle this project sincerely and also willing to assist me in lifting this fund, kindly reach me and I will link you to and an oversea security company for further agreement.

Please, note that this transaction is 100% risk free and I hope to
commence the transaction as quickly as possible.

interest to me by providing to me the below information of yours for
onward procession.

1.your full name.............................................. ..

2.Your mailing/postal address,...................................

3.your most direct/private telephone & fax numbers,..............

4.YourOccupation,................................. ...............

5.Yourmarital status,........................................... .

6.Your age............................................... ........

Yours sincerely

Princess Bukky Williams Ajana.

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athos

i had something similar just yesterday - it was some sob story, again involving large amounts of money ... with a "give us your personal details we will give you some money" in it! so obviously being the kind hearted person that i am felt sorry for the poor one that had lost their dad and nearly lost their fortune (ahem - like we'd believe it!), and deleted the thing asap.
It was a very similar wording to yours though Cherry.
I can't remember the name of it, but I remember reading somewhere not too long ago about these sorts of scams where people pretend to represent some church or organisation or something to get money out of the gullible

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Lenore

i had a russian women who had been stitched up by a bloke who promised to marry her and naturally wanted me to take his place

cherry

with the ones that you received....did they have your correct name? i know in the past i have had sob stories like this before but i dont think they were addressed to me personnally

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Cal Soulshadow

These are very common scams. Ignore 'em.

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Ebony&Markus

Aye, Cal is right. Sounds like a phishing attempt to me.

Kimi

A variant of a 419 fraud
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/419_fraud

cherry

aye i am aware its a scam i was just interested to know if when sent to other people how personalised the scam letter was to begin with just curiosity really

i had a spate of them at one point but i find blocking them repeatedly (along with other spam) works pretty effectively at reducing the numbers that keep appearing in my inbox.

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Ebony&Markus

I have also had a few as well. The worst ones are those with RE and then someones name behind them like they are tricking you into opening them. They tend to be the ones with viruses in them. I have been sent a couple of nasty trojans as well. Luckily my virus scanner has always picked them up, so far!
I have had a few personalised ones to my work email address. It is annoying how they start to bung up your email....

Kimi

I didn't mean my reply to be directed at anyone inparticular, more just a general informational one.
It can never hurt to lead people in the direction of learning something they didn't before.
Although, I found the wiki page to be a big tl;dr, personally

Cen Brennah

Try this site. The guy spends half his spare time scamming the scammers. Its quite a funny read.
http://www.scambuster419.co.uk/inventor.htm

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Futt

My spam filter catches quite a few of those... What really amazes me is that people actually fall for these. And not just your garden variety knuckle dragger either, think I read about a lawyer having been scammed and traveling to Nigeria to settle the score a little while back as well. Something tells me he will at least get an honorable mention (if not nomination) in this year's Darwin Awards.

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http://www.futt.org/

Cen Brennah

I got a great one today and though I would share it with you all (Spelling mistakes included):

CONGRATLATION ......................OUR ESTEEM WINNER

The NATIONAL LOTTERY
P O BOX 1010 LIVERPOOL
L70 1NL UNITED KINGDOM
FROM: THE PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS DEPT.
RE: AWARD FINAL NOTIFICATION:
We are pleased to inform you again about our EASTER lottery price won by you a week ago.You were entered as dependent clients randomly through a computer ballot system drawn from 13,000(thirteen thousand) names of email users around the world as part of our international promotion program.You were approved for a price of £867,454 (Eight Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand,Four Hundred and Fifty-Four Pounds Sterlings).which is deposited in your favour as beneficiary with security file number KIA/724357/CP.
File for the release of your winning by contactin g our claim officer with the details below:
MR. THOMAS JEFF.(Foreign Transfer Manager)
Email: ukregionalclaimsdept@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: + (44) 7011137050

Fax + (44)870 974 1828

PLEASE FILL OUT THE VERIFICATION AND FUNDS RELEASE FORM.

1).FULL NAMES:______________________________

2).SECURITY FILE NUMBER____________________

3).ADDRESS:_________________________________

4).AGE & SEX:________________________________

5).MARITAL STATUS:___________________

6).OCCUPATION:________________________

7). COUNTRY________________________________

8).TELEPHONE NUMBER:_____________________

9).ATTACH YOU PASSPORT OR DRIVING LICENSE

10).INDICATE PREFERRED MODE OF PRIZE COLLECTION:

(A).Bank transfer Services?

(B).come to office in uk?

(c) Use Courier Service?

11). I__ __________________________ hereby declare that the above information is true and binding on me. If at any time it is discovered that I have given false information, I will forfeit my rights to my winnings.

Make Sure this Verification and Funds Release Form is sent to the Fiduciary agent for quick verification and funds release purpose.
Our winners are assured of the utmost standards of confidentiality, and press anonymity until the end of proceedings, and beyond where they so desire. Be further advised to maintain the strictest level of confidentiality until the end of proceedings to circumvent problems associated with fraudulent claims. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program.

Goodluck from me and members of staff of the UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

You have been advised to contact your claims officer with the above contact details.
Congratulations from me and members of staff of the UK NATIONAL LOTTERY.
Yours faithfully,
MR JOHN LUGARD
Online coordinator for UK NATIONAL LOTTERY
Sweepstakes International Program
Open 7 days 8am-8pm


Copyright © 1994-2007 The UK International Promotion Inc.
All rights reserved. Terms of Service - Guideline
77635 476378 255667460

Okay, I am off now to send them all my details to pick up my lovely money.

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Kimi

Who could say no to "a price of £867,454"?
It might be more convincing if they'd proof-read it...
Might...

Cen Brennah

I especially like the fact that it states they are in Liverpool then gives an international dialling code.

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