E-mail users take note: As we write this, a new spam scam, a variation of the "Nigerian Bank" messages of the early 00's, is hitting the inboxes of unsuspecting automotive entrepreneurs worldwide. The upshot of the flim-flam is the author is looking to start an "auto spare parts" business in the US with $21 million in start-up funds. The mark would receive 20% of the money, part of some third-world Minister's State plunder, just for setting up the proposed US-based business.
We learned our lesson in scam-avoidance from some kid selling candy bars priced "two for three or three for five" We bought three. Our forehead still aches from smacking it against a wall two or three or five times.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am proposing to move some funds to you for a joint
venture investment in an Auto Trading/ Auto Spare
Parts in your country or any other lucrative venture
of your choice. However, every arrangement has been
concluded for us to take off this project in good
faith. There is a trustworthy agent in Asia, holding
some of my late father's funds on trust for us in a
security company, it is part of this fund I am
proposing to invest with you, so that I can become an
Auto trader and Auto spare parts dealer with your
assistance in your country.
My late father DR. YUSUF KURUME ABDWAN was the former
Aviation Minister of my country Ethiopia since after
his death, the current president has been seizing all
my fathers' investment with intimidation and we are no
longer safe in our country. Please reply me
immediately so that I can inform you of how and when
the security vault will deliver to you the first
consignment of the fund to you in your country which
will be done via a diplomatic net-work in a defaced
concealment. I want to start with the total sum of
US$21,5M. (Twenty One Million Five Hundred thousand
Dollars) only and for your good information your
commission will be 20% of each delivery until the
entire bulk-fund completes.
I will arrange a safe telephone line for this
transaction in a couple of days for security reasons.
Please reply me urgently through this e-mail address.
Best Regards.
Engr Ahmed Shafi Kurume Jnr
[Thanks to Krucoff]
Related:
Night and the City: The Cars of NY's Trendy Meatpacking District [internal]
A 12-Second Dodge Dart for Two Grand: Anything is Possible [internal]