I have noticed a virtual explosion in the volumes of phony emails wanting to give me money. At the rate it is going -- you would think that Nigeria is one of the richest nations of the world!
The story has shifted slightly from about a year ago -- the message used to be that I would cash a check for them, keep a percentage, and send them the balance. The poor soul was unable to cash the check themselves. But lately I notice that they would like personal information and that they would get back to me. A poor soul died without heirs and the barrister would like me to be the heir. Yeah, right! Here's a brief portion of the email:
"I am Barrister Alban Galadari Frank (Esq)a Solicitor at law and the personal attorney to late Engr.Hens Sanders,a National of your country, who used to be a private contractor with the Shell Petroleum Development Company in Nigeria, herein after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2001, he and his newly married wife were involved in an auto crash, all occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then, I have made several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proven unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to contact you with this business partnership proposal.

I contacted you to assist in repatriating a huge amount of money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank where these huge deposit was lodged. The deceased had a deposit valued presently at$15million US Dollars with a bank here and the Bank has issued me a notice as his lawyer to provide his next of kin or Beneficiary by Will otherwise have the
account confiscated within the next thirty official working days.

The request for you as next of kin in this business is occasioned by the fact that my client was a foreigner and a national of your country, I seek your consent so that the proceeds of this account valued at $15Million USdollars can be paid to you. This will be disbursed or shared in these percentages, 60% to me and 40% to you I have the means to provide all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make All I require is your honest Co-operation,Confidentiality and Trust
to enable us see this transaction through".

The email goes on to ask for pertinent personal information. Have any of you seen this flurry of emails also? Are people this gullible?

As a closing note -- anyone want to split a few million with me?