The Nigerian Scam

Also known as: the Nigerian 419 scam (which refers to the portion of the Nigerian Criminal Code relating to fraud).

Yes, it's probably the most well known chain letter / faxlore / spam email out there. Even if you've never received one, you've at least heard of it. And why? Because, unfortunately, it works. There are people, I don't want to say naive, but trusting enough to believe that this scam was real.

So take a look at one version of it, shall we?

ATTENTION: THE MANAGING DIRECTOR 

DEAR SIR, 

URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL 

WE HAVE THIRTY MILLION U.S. DOLLARS WHICH WE GOT FROM OVER INFLATED CONTRACT FROM CRUDE OIL CONTRACT AWARD TO FOREIGN CONTRACTORS IN THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC). WE ARE SEEKING YOUR ASSISANCE AND PERMISSION TO REMIT THIS AMOUNT INTO YOUR ACCOUNT. YOUR COMMISSION IS THIRTY PERCENT OF THE MONEY. 

PLEASE NOTIFY ME OF YOUR ACCEPTANCE TO DO THIS BUSINESS URGENTLY. THE MEN INVOLVED ARE MEN IN GOVERNMENT. MORE DETAILS WILL BE SENT TO YOU BY FAX AS SOON AS WE HEAR FROM YOU. FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMUNICAITON IN THIS MATTER, MAY WE HAVE YOUR TELEFAX, TELEX AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS INCLUDING YOUR PRIVATE HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER. 

CONTACT ME URGENTLY THROUGH THE FAX NUMBERS ABOVE.
PLEASE TREAT AS MOST CONFIDENTIAL, ALL REPLIES STRICTLY BY DHL COURIER, OR THROUGH ABOVE FAX NUMBER. 

THANKS FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION. 

YOURS FAITHFULLY, 

PRINCE JONES DIMKA