Lizzie Borden Meets the Lads
On a site dedicated to exposing Internet scams called Scam o Rama, is a unique piece of creative expression.
The site’s description states:
The letters posted here illustrate (hilariously unsuccessful) attempts at ADVANCE FEE FRAUD. The sender claims to be a bureaucrat, banker or royal toadie, who wants to cut you, and only you, in on the financial deal of a lifetime.
In plain English, the writer claims to be in a position to skim public accounts or in other ways move vast amounts of cash, ethically obtained or not, into your hands. Hint: There is no money to be laundered – except yours. Palms must be greased. With your money. Generally in the form of a Western Union money order. A few K here, a few K there… eventually you get wise, and retire to lick your wounds. Dead soldier, dead farmer, dead bank customer, reformed murderer, lotto prize, phony job offer, phony request for bid, different pot of money, different countries… same scam.
The scammer may send you pictures of “money” – see example on this page, or visit the Show Me The Money gallery. Same scam.
Setting aside the writer’s attempt to rob you and (going through the mental contortions necessary to take the letter at face value) to steal from his own country, the letters are funny. Read them out loud at parties and see. The 100+ letters below introduce the literary genre of the Lads from Lagos. Some people write the scammers back. Welcome to the Scamology.
Most readers say “what an obvious scam!”. Some say “I was almost fooled till I saw this site.” A handful say “couldn’t mine be ‘real’?” Stay safe out there!
Notes:
1 When not playing on your generosity or naivete, the Lads are asking you to steal. There is nothing to be stolen, except from you.
2 It is NOT suggested that there are no scam artists in other countries, or that fraud started in Nigeria. There sure are and it sure didn’t.
3 So why “Lads from Lagos” ? Because most such e-mails come from thereabouts, or from expatriates. It’s just like that. Africans hate getting them too.
I bring you Lizzie Borden Meets the Lads. Enjoy!
