PorscheBunny

Makes you wonder who is less intelligent, those who are suckers for this fraud or those running this fraud. I guess if there's enough money behind it, anyone will try it.

From The Register

Just before last Christmas we were delighted to report that Nigerian 419ers had surfaced in post-war Baghdad and had laid their hands on large quantities of gold and cash, like you do.

We now have reason to doubt these extravagant claims, because the latest intelligence - courtesy of reader Dave - suggests Saddam's booty had already left the country:

All of this this will come as a bit of a surprise to Saddam's other daughters, Raghad and Rana. The pair were last seen in Jordan after their cousin Ezzedin al-Majid made an unsuccessful attempt to gain the disgraced Husseins a foothold in the UK at the unlikely venue of Leeds-Bradford airport. We do not have reason to suspect he was carrying large quantities of bullion/diamonds/bearer bonds when UK Immigration sent him packing, so it's entirely possible that Jume managed to slip away with the wedge.

Well, it would be if Jume Hasa Hussein were in fact Saddam's daughter and not the figment of some 419er's fertile imagination. The caged former Iraqi leader does have a third daughter, Hala, who disappeared shortly after the fall of her dear old pa. It seems the boys from Lagos have got a bit confused here attempting to give their cunning plan some authentic background detail.

Still, the indignant tone of the email is a nice touch. Readers are invited to imagine poor Jume in a hole in the ground somewhere in northern Iraq, alternately sobbing for her murdered brothers, bless 'em, and raging against the narcotization of the Lion of Babylon. For the record, we here in Blighty have a saying too: "A lion in a cage is still a lion, but a skinned lion in front of the hearth is a lionskin rug."

Nevertheless, a roaring fire will certainly be essential for anyone venturing out at this time of year to fill their pockets from the secured vault on Victoria Island - that particular landmass lies in the Canadian arctic. They certainly get around a bit these Husseins.

So, if you are a Good Samaritan with a thick woolly jumper, fur hat and skidoo and would like to help Jume get back to her studies in "Environmetal" Microbiology (Judas Priest meets anthrax, perhaps?), then you have the contact details.

Except, of course, you should never, ever, respond to one of these emails, unless indulging in the Olympic sport of Nigerian 419 fraudster baiting.

If this seems a blindingly obvious statement, then read this somewhat disturbing email which arrived yesterday:

I'm in the United States, and today I received an e-mail from Mr. Tony Fred Williams. It's exactly like the one you have posted on The Register's web-site in the article entitled "Teen 419er in Trainspotting drug hell"

This is one of those opportunities that sounds "to good to be true." Whereas you are obviously familiar with the situation, I thought I'd post an inquiry to you to investigate whether or not this is legitimate.

A couple of things strike me as odd to begin with: the first is, how did he get my e-mail address? And, secondly, being from the UK/Scottland area, why is the currency listed in US Dollars? Not that I expect you have the answer to these inquiries. They are obvious reasons for caution.

Other than publishing the article, how much do you know about Mr. Williams and his claim? Do you have other references that I might contact to ensure that this is not a scam???

If Tony Fred is, indeed, in need of assistance, I'd certainly be happy to oblige. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Sadly, our extensive - and frequently facetious - coverage of advance fee fraudsters and their missives has not been sufficiently blunt to warn potential victims of the dangers of dealing with these charlatans.

To address our correspondant's queries: this sort of offer really is too good to be true. The "personalised" 419 email - containing the recipient's name - is a new development, and adds a small touch of authenticity. However, email addresses are easy enough to come by, and if they contain your name, it's hardly rocket science to stick that at the top.

As far as we are aware, 419ers prefer always to operate in dollars, and usually in multiples of millions. We can only assume they cannot be bothered to do a little local research. Indeed, you'd expect a solicitation from "Scottland" to be in quids.

If these pointers - added to the usual, preposterous, tale of African dictators and riches beyond the wildest dreams of avarice - are insufficient to assuage your greed, then this is what will happen next:

That's a brief summary of how it works, though there are plenty of variations on the theme. Good, solid advice on 419 fraud is available from the US Secret Service guide and the London Met's own Fraud Alert. You have been warned. ®

Bootnote
The "Lion in cage" reference was in fact uttered by Raghad Hussein in Jordan. She is reported as saying: "A lion is still a lion, even when it is shackled." Raghad also made the Saddam "drugging" accusation.

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This post has been sanitized for your protection by the Ministry of Information of Oceania.

Astrocloud

Did they change the email address for the article?

It's Chilean

rat

lmao. very, very nice. some idiots will get drug into that....

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spived2

I just want to know if people are really falling for these scams, and if so, where do I sign up to be a part of it?

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"This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is it vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished, as the once vital voice of the verisimilitude now venerates what they once vilified. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose vis-à-vis an introduction, and so it is my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V." - V

water_boy1999

THANKS THE HEAVENS I READ THIS!!!!!!!!
To think I was going to board a plane tomorrow for Barbados to collect 10 million.......PHEW!!!!

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Doh!!!!


-Homer Simpson

Yalaynia

LOL I can not believe that people fall for these. This is the second one I have seen. The first one was identical to this one only rather then from Iraq the guy was held captive in some South African country and it was 20 million not 30 million.
Then the other ones I have seen were on pop ups I get when just browsing. One was Did you know that millions of dollars every year go unclaimed savings bonds, dead bank accounts, and safety deposit boxes. Enter your name here and see if you have any money coming. Course you enter the name and millions of names come up and then it says just send 39.99 and we will tell you how to claim your money back.
Its just another way for those people to end up rich and you to become in debt.

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I couldnt think of anything to put here , but I guess anything would do