Deceased millionaires. Foreign princes. Unscrupulous bank employees.
What do these all have in common? These are all typical subjects of traditional email phishing scams. I have thought often that these stories, sometimes very well crafted, are humorous and valuable in their own right. They demonstrate a narrative that we as humans cling to in our endeavour to "get rich quick."
Here is the most recent (and very articulate) example:
I Ali Elbaradei the Personal Relation Officer at Standard Bank to
the deceased. On May 13, 2014, one of our esteemed clients Mr.
Barry Kooijmans made a numbered time (Fixed Deposit) for twelve
calendar months in my Bank. Upon maturity, we sent a usual notice
to his known address but got no answer.
After a month we sent a reminder and finally we discovered that
he went on a vacation with his family to Holland and
unfortunately they were aboard the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH 17
Airbus that crashed on 17 July 2014 after being shot down,
killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew on board.
On additional inquisition, the Bank discovered that he died
without making a WILL or PROBATE and all efforts made to locate
any of his extended relatives proved fruitless. On further
inquest, it was discovered that late Mr. Barry Kooijmans did not
state any next of kin in all his official documents.
The total sum of US$15.5M still in my bank and the interest is
being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each
fiscal year. No one would ever come forward to claim this money.
In accordance with the Financial Services Authority Guiding
Principles, the account would be declared fallow and the proceeds
would be revert to the possession of the South African Government
if nobody applies as the beneficiary to the funds.
On this note, I wish to invite you as a foreigner to stand in as
the next of kin to the deceased so that the proceeds of this
account will be released to you for us to share as similar
chances do arise in the Bank and it's only the Top Executives
that siphon such funds for their own aggrandizement.
Upon your acceptance of this proposition I shall give you
comprehensive information on how this venture would be
accomplished without any hitch.
Moreover, we shall employ the services of a notary here for the
purpose of procuring a letter of probate and to obtain all other
pertinent documents in your name for the requisite documentation
for immediate approval of this fund to your favour.
The money would be shared in the ratio of: Fifty percent for me,
Fifty percent for you.
I pledged that this venture would be accomplished under a
justifiable pact that will protect you from any legal trouble and
I will use my significant influence in the bank to secure
approvals and guarantee the successful completion of this
transaction.
Please be informed that your extreme discretion is required. If
this proposition interests you, kindly reply me directly by email
and indicate your readiness and willingness to finalize this
transaction with me. Equally email me with your full name, your
address, year of birth, your contact telephone and fax numbers.
Upon receipt of your positive response with the requested
information, I will start the preliminary arrangements and also
draft an Application letter you will endorse and send it
officially to my Bank to enable them star Administrative
Processing and Approval in your favour.
Thanks for your time as I look forward to your timely and
positive reply.
Seeing that I am not part of the seedy underworld, I wonder if there are firms that specialize in the "scam-as-a-service." For a modest fee, a native language speaker will draft a compelling story, which is a fixed fee. Add-ons include email lists, spoofing of email source, and what can only be described as "sucker management."
Today, as I go about my daily business, I will look at things from both a "legitimate" and "illegitimate" opportunity view. Though I have no intention of creating schemes to steal people's money, I wonder just how easy it is to create these opportunities, and barriers to entry.
Keep a keen eye open for the opportunities in the world. If someone can sell canned air, surely there is something you can spend 15 minutes of time exploring in your mind to determine if there is an opportunity for commercialization, and ultimately, entrepreneurship.
Steem on, friends.