These have been around for ages, way before we were using email. Here is a fine example of a scammer using the age old method of 1) claiming to have lots and lots of money (in this case $18.5 million); 2) bad situation and they need to get the money out of the country; 3) they need you, a very trustworthy perfect stranger, to help them; and 4) they will pay you a large sum for helping them...in this case, 20% of $18.5 million = $3.7 million! How about it!? DON'T GET SCAMMED!

From Donald Nelson
Banjul the Gambia
(West Africa)
-------
Private/Confidential

Dear friend,

I write to solicit your assistance in a project of mutual benefit and
regret any inconveniences contacting you this way with my proposal. I am
Donald Nelson, former Head of Accounts Department at the Diamond Mining
Company of Sierra Leone.

I and my partners (two others) are in urgent need of a foreign associate
to work with us to facilitate the transfer of a large sum of money which
we intend to invest into profitable areas of business in your country. The
funds currently secured with a security company is legitimate money
rightfully belonging to me and my partners, which was earned from private
diamond business deals during our time as top officials at the Diamond
Mining Company of Sierra Leone. Due to unstable political and economic
environments in Africa, it is not quite safe investing ones financial
future in this part of the world. We are currently living in Banjul
capital city of The Gambia and in collaboration with some top officials of
the Central Bank of Gambia have concluded arrangements for the transfer.
The money involved is eighteen million five hundred thousand US Dollars.
However, as a result of the regulations here, we cannot transfer the funds
to your country without having an associate there.

I am writing to know if you could be our overseas associate to handle the
transaction privately at your end, whereby the funds shall be transferred
through your bank account, for mutual benefits. All aspects of the
transaction will be done legitimately from here via the banking process.
We propose your commission shall be 20 per cent of the total money been
transferred, in view of the importance your role as our overseas partners
will be, without which we cannot transfer the funds.

Please consider this proposal seriously and handle with utmost
confidentiality the information I have provided you with here. If you are
in a position to assist, then get back to me immediately, so I can give
you more details.

Sincerely,

Donald Nelson.

UPDATE 8/10/09. Hey, look! Another one! Wow, what a deal! I could make another $10 million on this one!! Yippee!!!

From: Mrs. Elin Shaun (elinshaun@rocketmail.com)

Subject: READ BELOVED

To: Yours Truly, Soon-to-be-Millionaire Conejo Joe!! YEAH!!!

I am the above named person from Japan. I am married to Mr Fern Shaun who
Worked with Japan Embassy for seven years before he died .We were married for
years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only two
weeks. Before his death we were both born again Christians. Since his death I
decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my Matrimonial home which the
Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of
24Million Dollars (twenty four Million United State Dollars) on the safe deposit
box with the bank. Europe.

Presently, this money is still deposited on the safe deposit box with the bank
vault house .Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next four
months due to cancer Problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke
sickness. Having known my condition I decided to donate this Fund to church or
better still a Christian individual that will utilize this money the way I am
going to instruct here in. I want a church that will use these funds to fund
churches, orphanages and widows propagating the word of God and to ensure that
the house of God is maintained. The Bible made us to understand that blessed is
the hand that giveth.

I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this
money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I don't want my
husband's hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers. I don?t want a
situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner. Hence the reason
for taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am
going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. The lord he will
fight my case and I shall hold my peace. I don't need any telephone
ommunication in this regard because of my health and because of the presence of
my husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about
this development.

With God all things are possible As soon as I receive your reply I shall give
you the contact of the BANK in Europe I will also issue you a letter of
authority that will prove you as the original- beneficiary of this Fund. I want
you and the church to always pray for me because the lord is my shepherd. My
happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that wants to
serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and truth. Please always be prayerful
all through your life.

Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for a church or Christian
individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly
as I stated herein Hoping to hearing from you.

I have set aside 30% for you and for your time and 10% for any expenses if
there is any then remaining balance for the word of God.

Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs Elin Shaun

NO WAY!  Boy am I lucky! Today (11/5/09) I received another generous offer!!  This one looks like $24.5 MILLION!! Woo hoo!  Yea baby!!

Good Day To You,

I am Mr.Jun Huan of HSH Nordbank AG, Hong Kong. I have an obscured business suggestion for you.In November, 1999, Ahmad Fahmi an Indonesian,a contractor with the Iraqi Government and also a businessman, made a time investment of US$24.5M as secured growth funds for (60)sixty calendar months in my Branch.

This investment has matured and has been lying in our Bank reserve for the past two years,and under the Hong Kong banking laws,any time Investment unclaimed after three years will be turned over to the Hong Kong Government purse.

Upon maturity several notices were sent to him and no response camefrom him. Early This year,it was later discovered that the Ahmad Fahmiand his family were killed in a convoy attack in Musol, Iraqi on 22th Aug, 2004 After further investigation it was also discovered that no next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of his Bank deposit.And he also confided in me the last time he was in my Office that no one except me knew of his deposit in my Bank.

Against this backdrop,I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Ahmad Fahmi so that you will be able to receive this funds I have contacted an Attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Ahmad Fahmi and also the rightful beneficiary to the funds.

Please endeavour to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue. What is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your Full names,Address, direct telephone and fax numbers, age so that the Attorney can commence his job.Reply strictly if you areinterested with the requested information via my personal email;  jjhuan16@yahoo.com.hk  to enable the Attorney commences his job immediately.

Sincerely,

Mr.Jun Huan.
jjhuan16@yahoo.com.hk

Here's a quick and simple one! From a "friend" no less! Only problem is, as of the date of this email (12/13/09), 7.5 million Pounds translates into only $12.2 million USD, not the $13.3 million mentioned.  A true friend would have used an accurate exchange rate.

Subject: PROPOSAL FROM A FRIEND.

How are you doing today? I will like to discuss a transaction of 
£7,500,000 Pounds equivalent to $13,332,789 USD with you getting 45% 
after the transfer of the funds into your account before the British 
Treasury can confiscate the funds. Please Send Your response to my 
private email address which is davefreeman_chambers1@yahoo.com.hk for 
more info.

Wow, here's one purportedly from one Michael Cena, Head of Consignment Lodgings at the U.S. Department of the Treasury! Wow, fancy title! Nice deal! I pay only $630 and get a cool $10.5 million! Yeehah!! Ready to pahhrrrttayy now!

United States Department of the Treasury Washington DC
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW;
Washington, DC 20220

Hello.

We the International Debt Funds Recovery Unit of United States Department of the Treasury Washington DC, hereby inform you on how to  recover your inherited funds via cash consignment baggage from United Nations (UN),in association with London England liaison office valued at $10.5million United States Dollars in your favor.

The funds recovery was witnessed by the Federal Bureau of investigation (FBI), and Interpol Unit envoys deployed to London by United States Department of the Treasury Washington DC, to monitor the proceedings of the funds recovery from United Nations (UN). The team that was dispatched confirmed that the legal modalities maintained for the coordination of the funds release was fair and just. considering  opinion by United Nations (UN) Association of London England.

However, the outcome of the screening and confirmation was perfect and would help to curtail  activities of con artist and scam generally.It was quite successful and encouraging.

The recovered funds were allotted into cash consignment baggages by United Nations (UN) Association of London England, and are currently deposited in our pecuniary vault here in Washington DC. The recovering of the funds would not have been  successful if the United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown had not dedicated his time to ensure smooth running of the event, due to his vigorous fight to eradicate corruptions,insalubrious activities and terrorism that has eroded all governments effort in smooth and fair governance.

Be well informed that before we commence the delivery of your cash consignment baggages to your proposed bank address as stated on your pervious correspondence, the vital legal paperwork that would be we needed to execute a perfect delivery known as "Stamp of Duty Paperwork and
Permission Order Papers" will cost you the sum of $630.00USD.This fee will be used to procure the parer work.

The event was also a bright opportunity for the prime minister, to meet the deadline given to him at the 2009 G20 London Summit to clear all outstanding beneficiary debts and lottery wining debts owned  foreigners by the British government. For this reason, the United States Department of the Treasury, hereby state that before any effective step could be taken to release your cash consignment baggages,you are to reconfirm your personal Information as stated below. The information will enhance your cash consignment baggage delivery from our pecuniary vault here in Washington DC, to your location.

PERSONAL INFORMATION.

Full Name:
Residence Address:
Bank Address:
Current Occupation:
Contact Telephone Numbers:
Any form of prove of identification:
Current Age:

Thank you.
God Bless America.
Sincerely yours
Michael Cena.