I got a "help me export money" scam email from a guy who claims to be in South Africa... yeah right! Everyone knows the ownerless bank accounts are in Nigeria, not South Africa!
It's really odd to me that so many of these scam emails have the same quirks. For example, is it really necessary to spell out monetary values?
On the 6th of June 1998 an American miner ran an account with us and his present balance is valued at US$38,500,000.00 (Thirty Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) in my Bank.Only? What? I can just imagine all the confused responses the scammers got before they started spelling out the numbers.
Scammers also tend to capitalize randomly (if the entire email isn't all-caps, that is). I understand that English may not be their first language, but even if they're just using capitals to draw attention to certain words it doesn't make sense.
Consequently, my Proposal is that I would like you to stand in as the next of kin of the deceased. This is simple; All we need is some of your Details so that an Attorney will prepare the necessary Documents and affidavits which would put you in place as the deceased next of kin. We shall also employ the services of an Accredited Attorney for the Drafting and notarisation of the WILL and to Obtain the necessary documents and letters of probate/administration in your favour for the transfer.Oh, you're using an Accredited Attorney to Draft a WILL -- in that case, sign me up.
Scammers are also eager to assure us that there's ABSOLUTELY NO RISK TO YOU.
There is no risk at all as the Paperwork for this transaction will be done by the Attorney and My position as a manager guarantees the successful execution of this Transaction.No venture involving an Attorney and a bank manager could possibly go wrong.
Anyway, I'm bored, so I responded. Posting scam emails and mildly-humorous responses seems to be the cool blog-thing to do, so count me in.
