Iraqi widow needs help

Well, it was just a matter of time before Iraqi widows began contacting me for assistance!

Grade: C-

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Comments: Now, I know that the Iraqi widow scam has been picking up steam but I have to admit, this one is pretty slick. For example, the From identity on the email is Widow's Help. Now, take a look at the email address, it is widowhelp101@netscape.net. Does this mean that 100 others are also using a variation of that email address for their advanced fee scams? Otherwise, I am really disappointed with the lack of spaces after the periods at the end of sentences. Additionally, the spelling can really use a lot of work, as can the complete lack of capitalization of proper names. Maybe with time, this letter will improve but as it stands now, I think we are looking at a C-

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Dear [ok, here is my first tip -- never make a form letter look like a form letter. You should at least include a name, for crying out loud]

I got your email address from the internet [come on, you could be a little more creative than that. Donald Malani for example, got my name from the World Trade Journal (see Another Land Dispute, June 2003]. and please donot feel bad about this message more especially as i am from Iraq. I am a widow of one of the former senior managers of the Iraqi State Oil Organisation in charge of the United Nations Oil-For-Food Programme [The Oil-for-Food program? Ok, I think I'm starting to see the picture here] . My Husband and three of our four children were killed in the U.S. led military campaign during this crises period leaving my little daughter. Before the dead of my husband,he reveal to me that he deposited a luggage containing 12 million usa dollars as family valuables with a local security company here in baghdad.What i want is that i need you to help me recieve this luggage when it arrive Europe.The security company has agreed to help transfer the luggage to Europe and that i need somebody to recieve [always try to remember, "i" before "e" except after "c"] it for me since i am not free to travel now.Please note that this doesnt involve any risk [so noted].All i need from you is honesty and a promise not to betray me after you recieve the luggage.Please note that i have decided to take this risk because the new iraq government is investigating all the managers that work at the oil for food program and i stand to lose all the fund if i dont relocate them.

Note that for security reason,i will not disclose my identity until you respond to this mail.I look forward to hear from you soon and i will provide you with more details.Thank you.

Beware of Hoaxes

Finally, someone who saves the ALL CAPS for just the important stuff! Yep, this one finally explains that all of those other letters I have been getting are GOVERNMENT HOAXES!

Grade: B+

Comments: I have to admit that although this letter uses many of the same tired plot complications usually found in Nigerian emails, this one contains a bit more detail than is usually found. In fact, by clicking on the URLs you can learn even more about the evil Nigerian Government's dealings in the BBC articles. Another unique twist is that Mohammed doesn't name a percentage right up front. Instead, he leaves some obvious room for negotiation by letting the responder pick the percentage cut first -- very shrewd!

Given the attention to detail, dhis probably could have been an A email with a bit more attention to grammar, spelling, and sentence construction.

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PLS READ IT AND HELP US, IT IS SAD THAT GOVERNMENT HAS TRIED TO FRUSTRATE OUR EFFORT WITH SO MANY HOAXES ON THE INTERNET WITH PUBLICATIONS, PLS DO NOT HESITATE TO HELP US. [Yes, one must always watch for inaccuracies on the Internet!]

Dear Friend,

Compliments of the season. Grace, peace and love from me to you. I hope my letter does not cause you any embarrasement [my only embarrasment will be if I actually fall for this] as I write to you in good faith. Please I will want you to read this mail carefully and get back to me.

I am Mohammed Abacha, son of the the late Gen Sanni Abacha, who was the former military head of states in Nigeria that died in 1998. Since my father`s death the family has been losing alot of money due to vindictive government officials who are bent on dealing with the family. Most of the family`s accounts, home and abroad has been seized and confiscated. You can find out more about this on <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/909972.stm>
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2278292.stm>

Based on this therefore, my family has asked me to seek for a foreign partner who can work with me as to move out the total sum of US$75,000,000.00 (seventy-five million United States dollars). presently in our possessions. This money was of course, acquired by my late father and is now kept secretly by the family. [well, I guess it's not so secret any more now, is it?]

All modalities to move the money out of the country through special diplomatic carrier in a create has been perfected [a carrier in a create - huh?]. The swiss government has already frozen all the acconts of our family in Switzaland, and some other countries would soon follow to do the same. This bid by some government officials to deal with our family has made it necessary that I seek your assistance in receiving this money and investing it on behalf of the family. This must be a joint venture transaction and we must all work together since this money is still cash [whoa, did you say cash -- I'm listening]. Extra security measures have been taking to protect it from theft or seizure. I have personally worked out all modalities for the peaceful and successful conclusion of this transaction. The transaction definitely would be handle in phases and the first phase will involve the moving of US$25,000.000.00 (twenty-five million United States dollars).

My family is willing to give you a reasonable percentage of this money as soon as the transaction is concluded. I will, however, based on the grounds that you are willing to work with us and also contentious issues discussed before the commencement of this transaction. [huh?]

You may also discuss your percentage before we start work [Oh, I get it, we're going to negotiate -- I'm thinking of a percentage in the 3 digit range]. As soon as I hear from you, I will give you all necessary details as to how to carry out the whole transaction. please do not entertain any fears, as all necessary modalities for the smooth conclusion of this transaction have been mapped out, and I assure you of all success and safety in this transaction.

Please this transactions requires absolute confidentiality [and you sent this to me by unencrypted email???] and you would be expected to treat it as such until the funds are moved out of my country. please you will also ignore this letter and respect our trust in you by not exposing this transaction, even if you are not interested [ignore this email? -- never!].

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you very much.

Truly yours,

Mohammed Abacha.