New Nigerian E-Mail Scam Involves Bulldog Puppies
 Wednesday, March 5th, 2008

 

At least twice a week, I get an e-mail that apologizes for the unsolicited "business" request, but insisting there is a lucrative business proposal awaiting me, if only I am able to provide the sender with my bank account information to help him or her secure a transfer of funds internationally.  It isn't always from Nigeria - I got one from Hong Kong this week, from a man claiming to be the CFO of Hang Seng Bank Ltd. in China.

"I will need you to assist me in executing a business project from Hong Kong to your country.  It involves the transfer of a large sum of money," the man claiming to be Mr. Patrick K. W. Chan wrote.  "Everything concerning this transaction shall be done legally without a hitch."

Right.  And when I flap my arms really hard, I can visit the Google satellite in space.

Another recent solicitor was Henry Kone, who claimed to have $20 million in a security company in Amsterdam, Holland, that he needed my help - me, who has no idea who he is - to get it out.

"As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry or pit for me, because, I believe everyone will die someday," he wrote.  "My name is Henry Kone, a merchant in Abidjan Coted Ivoire.  I have been diagnosed [with] esophageal cancer which was discovered very late...right now I have only about a few months to live...should you be ready to help me retrieve this money and donate according to my wishes, in service to God and humanity, kindly contact me."

If you have never heard of these e-mail scams, I suggest you watch these clips ASAP.  I would be willing to bet a mint that Henry Kone not only doesn't have esophageal cancer, but doesn't even exist.  It is someone sitting in a computer cafe, sending fraudulent e-mails all day, waiting for a bite at their sympathy hook.

That's the worst part of it:  those with a heart are the ones who get scammed.

Well, be forewarned - ABC reported today that the latest, predominantly Nigerian e-mail scam offers free English bulldog puppies for adoption to anyone who can help them transfer "funds" overseas.

It really doesn't matter what the premise is, or the e-mailer's name, because these little details are easily altered from message to message.  If anyone you don't know is e-mailing you regarding fund transfers, there is only one option.  DELETE.

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