While it may seem that the average person would not fall for most scams, the truth is that in some way or form a large percentage of us do. According to a recent survey, over 1.2 million Americans have fallen for some type of scam, and the number could admittedly be a lot higher then the survey suggests as people are often inclined to cope with the loss then admit that they have fallen victim for a scam.

One of the most common and probably the most bizarre scam was the Nigerian scam, called after the area in which it originated from.

The way how the scam worked was that an individual would get a letter often by email that went something like this. (courtesy of potifos. com )

Dear Sir, 

This letter may come to you as a surprise but I really prayed to God to
help me choose somebody that will be my true partner. 

My name is James Nandu Savimbi.I am the first son of Mr. Jonas Savinbi,
the leader of the UNITA movement in Angola. May be you know that my
father was killed recently in Angola by the Angolan Government soldiers
and he has since been buried. 

Two weeks before he died (May be he knows he will die), he called me and
showed me a box containing US$20 million and some Diamond value about
US$15 million. He sent the box to a security company in Europe for safe
keeping with a false name. 

He give me the certificate of deposit and the code number. With that I
can collect the box anytime I want. Now that my father is dead and I
need the money to take care of the family left behind of about two wives
and six children. 

I am now hiding as the government of Angola is desperately looking for
me to assasinate and also the former commander of my father wants to get
me at all cost.Also, I have to be very careful of my movement hence my
search for you to help me to get the box and keep it until I can escape
and meet you and you will also help me to invest the money in your
country or where it is good. 

I will give provide you with all the power(necessary documents) to
collect the box on my behalf when you tell me in your reply that you
will help me and I can trust and count on you. I don't trust anybody in
Angola and with the certificate and the code which I will give you,
there should/will be no problem in collecting the box. 

You don't have to worry,as this is 100% risk free to you as only me, my
dead father and the security company in Europe knows about this box. 

But I want you to keep this secret as there are some enemies of my
father scattered all over the whole World who are friends to the
government of Angola. The name of the country where the box is in Europe
and how much I will give you for help shall be revealed upon your
response to my mail. 

1 YOUR FULL NAME
2. YOUR CONTACT (HOME)ADDRESS
3. YOUR TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBER
4. YOUR DATE OF BIRTH & YOUR OCCUPATION 

I await your quick answer and sorry for poor english if there is any. 

Thank you.

They are so many other examples involving princes trying to get out, or wills and anything else they can think of.

Stay safe and just ignore them!!

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Posted by admin on October 31st, 2010 :: Filed under

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