Funniest Scam I Saw In a While!

I got this e-mail today, I just had to share it:


SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATION PAYMENTS
From: "George Adams"

Attn: Sir/Madam

AFRICAN UNION AND UNITED NATIONS SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATION PAYMENTS.

This is to bring to your notice that I am delegated from the United Nations to African Union to pay scam victims US$1,000,000:00 (One Million United States Dollars) each.You are listed and approved for this payment as one of the scammed victims to be paid this amount, get back to me as soon as possible for the immediate payments of your US$1,000,000:00 compensations funds.

On this faithful recommendations, we want you to know that during the last U.N. meetings at the headquarters of the African Union Commission (AUC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, it was alarmed so much by the world in the meetings on lose of funds by various individuals to the scams artists operating in syndicates all over the world today. In other to compensate victims, the U.N Body in conjunction with the African Union is now paying victims US$1,000,000:00 each in accordance with the U.N. ecommendations.

Due to the corrupt and inefficient Banking Systems in some African Nations,the payments are to be supervised by the United Nations Officials. According to the number of applicants at hand, 301 Beneficiaries has been paid, half of the victims are from the United States, and we still have more left to be paid their compensations of US1,000,000:00 each.

Other victims who have not been contacted can submit their application as well for scrutiny and possible consideration.You are thereby advised to contact the private client office of the Bank of Africa (BOA) through the following information.

Name: Jerry Goodman
E-mail: jerrygoodman.2001@yahoo.com.hk

A payment is through Automated Teller Machine (ATM).Resolution and agreement was therefore signed by United Nations and African Union that beneficiaries are to bear the responsibility of mailing their ATM Card to their destinations when they cannot make it down to Bank of Africa( BOA) Cotonou-Republic of Benin, forpick up.

Yours faithfully,

George Adams
Head of Services for Scam Victims Compensation

OK, if you got a similar e-mail and are asking yourself, "...you know, maybe I can get in on this! I wasn't scammed, but hey, free money!", well... your stupid. Sorry. I had to be blunt. No, just... NO!

Why is this a scam? Well, I'll actually dissect it for you this time:

Attn: Sir/Madam AFRICAN UNION AND UNITED NATIONS SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATION PAYMENTS.

For starters, there's nothing about this in the news. Nothing. If there was something like this really happening, I think its safe to say it would be headline-news.
This is to bring to your notice that I am delegated from the United Nations to African Union to pay scam victims US$1,000,000:00 (One Million United States Dollars) each.You are listed and approved for this payment as one of the scammed victims to be paid this amount, get back to me as soon as possible for the immediate payments of your US$1,000,000:00 compensations funds.

Why the hell would a DELEGATE from the United Nations send YOU and e-mail? OK, not the best argument in the world since you get "e-mails from the President" or others when you opt for an e-mail list, right? Well, this e-mail is just a plain e-mail with no images, no links... nothing. At the same time, they're stating they'll give you One Million Dollars. Let's get this straight: They're giving EVERYONE $1,000,000. OK, not bad....

Other victims who have not been contacted can submit their application as well for scrutiny and possible consideration.You are thereby advised to contact the private client office of the Bank of Africa (BOA) through the following information.
So anyone who feels they got scammed by someone in a nation they've never been to by an e-mail they got are being advised to do the same... with another person with another bank?

Huh.

A payment is through Automated Teller Machine (ATM).Resolution and agreement was therefore signed by United Nations and African Union that beneficiaries are to bear the responsibility of mailing their ATM Card to their destinations when they cannot make it down to Bank of Africa( BOA) Cotonou-Republic of Benin, forpick up. Yours faithfully, George Adams Head of Services for Scam Victims Compensation

Well, here's the main tip-off right there! A payment through an ATM?! REALLY?!


Screw it! This is a scam, a stupid one, and one of the dumbest e-mails I've ever seen!

But if you really, seriously, did fall for one of these, HubPages has a great article on what to do.

Why Is It So Hard to Meet Someone on Craigslist?

A few days ago, I decided to post a personal ad. As usual, there were replies from Spambots.

A LOT of Spambots.

It's gotten annoying, so consider this a lesson in what to look for before replying to a response to your personal ad.

For starters, check the e-mail address. 99% of people tend to use their e-mail account semi-publicly in one way or another. No history... most likely no person.

Also, I put in information relating to what I like and dislike and the instructions for replying were really simple: Make sure you mention something from the ad. Most spambots are incredibly vague.

So, bad e-mail #1:

From: "Gaye Woomer"

Hello
I saw your craigslist post.
Im starting to look for someone. Im very fun to be around. Heres a pic
http://i40.tinypic.com/jslkkn.jpg I have more pics on
yourdatelinks.com. Its like a different myspace and free =). Search
for hugmexo24 to see them and add me. Hopefully we will chat.
Take Care

So let's kinda dissect this. For starters, there's a link to a pic on a free server. Fine, happens, not a bad idea. Then there's a link to a dating site that I recommend you don't click on. The obligatory screen name... and the bad spelling and grammar to make it seem "real".

E-mail #2:

From: "ashley.sanders2@gmail.com"

hey was browsing a few ads and was interested, if your interested let me know,my names carri im 23 years old, about 5'7" 115lbs, taking a break from school, just working now, in the area im kind of new at this i met one other person from here about 3 weeks ago and he turned out to be 17, i really hope that isnt a common thing, nor happens again, but i enjoy just hanging out, just let me know if u are interested i have a photo albumn www.mocospace.com/carri1212

This one looks like it was written by a teenager, but the person claims to be 23. Right. Awesome. Just who I want to meet: A 23-year-old who can't type like an adult. Obligatory porn link, great.

OK, for this one, I'm posting the subject line. Most of them were kinda bland (your ad, Craigslist post, etc...). This one:

Subject: Let's do this :)

From: "Flower Marjoram"

How's it going?
I am messaging you regarding your ad.
I find your message on cl nice.
I am nice looking lady. I am moving to your area in few days.
and searching for a man to show me around.
This way we could discover each other.
I am going to send you my nice photo when you reply.
I am coming from Europe.
See ya

... I Nigeria Scammer, how are you today? No, I... no, I don't want to meet you. Have fun.

Yep... meeting people on Craigslist. How easy does it get, right?

I did get one real response out of about 12 e-mails. I would post more, but really, you never know, right? Maybe one of the e-mails I think is junk might be from an actual person who wants to meet me. Or a stalker.