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.