This weekend, I finally received my first Nigerian scam e-mail. In actuality, this is probably not the first but it is the first one to make it through the e-mail filters. I have to admit, I have felt a little left out over the past few years. I always heard about these e-mails but I never received one. Here is the text from the message:
Subject: PLEASE I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE
From: clementmattins
Sincere Greeting,
I’m Mr. Clement Mattins from bank of Africa. firstly,accept my apologies ,am the personal accountant to Dr. Ravindra F. Shah who died with his wife Mrs. Manjula Parikh-Shah in a plane crash on 1st Oct. 2003 on their way to Boston. i came across ($8,500.000.00USD) in his balance with our Bank (B.O.A), then i want you to provide an account where this money will be transfer into for both of us, If you are willing to assist me, therefore you should contact me immediately you receive this E-mail for more detail, Regards Mr Clement Mattins Telephone: +226 78 31 77 67
After looking around the net, it became obvious that this is a 419 scam. A few ideas came to mind. Should I play along and screw with the scammer? Should I report this to some official government agency? Read More