This is the funniest one yet!

Checking my spam folder, I ran across this email. I highlighted the part that made me laugh out loud in red:

Let me start by introducing myself, I am Larry Smith, personal attorney to Mr. Hong
Yuan, an expatriate who used to work with SHELL COMPANY, Here in NIGERIA. I am writing
you this letter based on the latest development at the bank, which I will like to
bring to your personal edification.

I am writing you this letter with so much joy and excitement even though my heart
goes out to the very powerful and distinguished gentleman who I was fortunate to
have worked for and extremely privileged to have known for numerous years. In 2001,
my client was going through a horrendous divorce in the United States of America
and was on the verge of losing most of his estate to his vicious and diabolical
wife. As a result of this alarming predicament, my Client came to me with a very
brilliant idea.

He transferred some funds, Ten million thousand dollars ($10m) to a fixed deposit
account in my bank under an alias which only the two of us knew about as the confidentiality
of the matter was necessary for his protection. Due to his untimely death in early
2002, the funds have been sitting in the account ever since and will continue to
do so perpetually unless we do something about it. This is where you come in.

I located you through an agency that helps seek people by their email. My client
did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper work
of his bank deposit. Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I would
like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to our client so that you will
be able to receive his funds. I want you to know that I have had everything planned
out so that we can come out successful.

All that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your Full
Names, Contact Address and Telephone number so that I can commence on this matter
in your favor. There is no risk involved at all I will prepare all the necessary
documents. The allocation of our money will be as follows: 40% ($4m) to you for
your part in this, 60% for me.

I think this is extremely fair, as you have nothing to lose but just a little time,
while on the other hand I am staking my flawless reputation among other things.
And besides $4 million is no pocket change. Once you are approved, the entire transaction
should take no longer than six business days after which we will go about our daily
business, but just millions of dollars richer.

As you can see this is easier than taking candy from a baby, but mind you, trust
is something that is developed over time and that is something that we do not have.
So I have to let you know that it will highly unfeasible to try to run away with
the money because even though only you can transfer money in and out of your account.
The money will be transferred from my bank to an account you will provide. So please,
there should be no room for greed because ten million dollars can quench even the
most insatiable desire for the almighty dollar.

Again, I will be in charge of everything else. I will assume all responsibilities
for this endeavor so you don't have to worry about any legal ramifications,
just what you will do with all that money. Your urgent response is highly anticipated
so please email me through my email address for more details on this transaction
as soon as possible. This should be kept very secret and confidential.

I believe you know.
Kind Regards,
Larry Smith.

Gotta love those emails.

I have a friend who actually did this (he only lost 1500, thank god for his family) - I told him it was a scam but he thought for sure he was getting easy money and I was just too skeptical. Obviously some stranger emailing you with an offer of money HAS to be legit.... duh
Oh well like Chelle says you can't fix stupid.

Well lets see...I could use Ten Million Thousand Dollars ..lol

One of my friends told me that these scams, though they come out of Nigeria, are really run by higher powers in other countries. I've often wondered about that because Nigerians are notoriously poor. A lot of these scams work so I was wondering what they did with all that money?!! They've done loads of news shows on these scams and the people they caught were working from libraries, coffehouses and other public places with computers. One would think they would have their own set up with operations of these types.

Tough economic times will only produce more of these.

I have tell you this story from the other night. I am looking for part-time work so decided to go online to the classified of our local paper. It is second in command around here behind the Times. I wanted to see if they had listings for local department stores.

Well, they didn't but they had jobs posted from local casting agencies for extras in movies, commericials, etc. One can make a living doing this part-time because they also stuff extras into game show audiences. One game show I was on did that. One lady was just sitting there knitting... Anyway, I click on one and read the requirements. You could fill out an application or call a number so I called.

A representative came on and took my information and told me that the pay was $135 per day. Well, me thinks, that'll work! He says they set up a profile for me with my picture and bio and that'll be it until they call me. Sounded great. At the end, he said the fee was $45. I asked him if I was expected to pay him right then? He said, of course, when had I planned on paying? I said after I received the contract and other printed materials they were supposed to send. He asked again if that was what I wanted to do and I said yes, it was.

PLUNK!!! He hung up on me. lol!

I know these are legitimate jobs because I've been in a few rap videos. But since I was unfamiliar with this company, no way was I going to give a complete stranger I'd only talked with for five minutes my credit card number or an electronic check. I looked them up on the Internet. They were pretty much okay BUT the reference site said the fees are usually only $25 and no one should pay more than that.

My rule of thumb is NEVER pay to get paid. In surveys, or for lists or to be given a job.
Glad you ran from it pearly

That SUCKS erin!

My mom got a 3500.00 check it was from a 'mystery shopping' company. You were 'mystery shopping' your bank. Deposit this, and then wire money to their account.

UHHHHH HELL NO. I took it to my bank, and gave it to my banker and she started the FDIC investigation. I never knew what happned.



All they want is your banking account number.. its sad. many many people have fallen for these scams.

But I do love the ten milllion thousand dollars! Talk about a bad grasp of the English Language... LOL

At least he has an honest sounding name. GOod ole Larry Smith. doenst sound fake at all!

Chelle, I also got one from Michael Bolton who worked for Microsoft...