Monday Mailbox

[ccfinlay]

I get so many "Nigerian scam" emails that I barely glance before consigning them to the trash. But one at work today caught my eye:
Dear Sir/Madam,

Attention:
This to formally inform you that your inheritance/contract sum has
been approved. Please stop all communication with fraudsters to save
yourself the stress of being duped.
Frankly it's a

Comments

[sarah_prineas]

But he/she isn't asking for your bank info? Maybe they lure you in slowly.

Don't follow the light, Charlie! Look away!!!

[ccfinlay]

That's what I love about this one. By the standards of the genre, this is practically a masterpiece of subtlety. I mean, they're assuming that the mark knows that there is the possibility of a scam. And instead of being reassuring, they're stoking the fires of fear ("don't be duped by fraudsters!").

And don't worry about the light thing. It's November in Ohio. The grey blanket of winter has been spread across the sky and may not be pulled back again until, oh, February. We get used to living without light.

[bogwitch64]

You would be amazed by how many people fall for this stuff. I'll admit it--I watch Judge Judy whenever I have clothes to fold (which is most days of the week) and there is at least one case a week concerning people who've responded to these things, gotten someone else involved (usually by using their bank account to cash fradulent checks!) and then got sued for the money back. In-freaking-sane.

[secritcrush]

I always am tempted to do something like this when I get one of those letters.

[madwriter]

No Nigerian scammers lately, though I did get an e-mail the other day from the Archangel Michael warning me that the end of the world was nigh. I was tempted to ask if he wanted my bank information, since I apparently wouldn't be needing the money soon.