# A twist on the 419 scam **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 13, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-twist-on-the-419-scam/650190 "2013-02-13T16:33:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-twist-on-the-419-scam/650190/1 "2013-02-13T16:33:35Z")
This might have been around for a while, but it’s the first time I’ve gotten this variant. Came from an e-mail that appears to be a student account at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology in Taiwan, assuming it’s not spoofed. > [@](#): > > Hello Dear, > > I am SFC Ferris K Johnson , a United State Army and the leader of U.S Soldier with N.A.T.O troops here in Afghanistan, I have a monetary proposal for you, I found your contact detail in a address journal am seeking your assistance to evacuate the sum of $25,000,000 to you as long as I am assured that it will be safe in your care until I complete my service here in Afghanistan. This is not stolen money and there are no dangers involved. I count on your understanding.please get back to me. please for more information contact my private > email: sfcferriskjohnson @rocketmail.com > > Thanks > SFC Ferris K Johnson ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-twist-on-the-419-scam/650190/2 "2013-02-13T17:07:16Z")
I’ve gotten variations on this - \*so many \*of our military apparently have millions of not-stolen dollars to move out of war zones. :rolleyes: I never checked to see where the emails originated - mostly, I just giggled over the interesting grammar. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-twist-on-the-419-scam/650190/3 "2013-02-13T17:09:22Z")
It’s been around since a little after we went into Iraq, varying as gold, cash, etc. Google shows there was a Pvt Ferris K Johnson, in WW2. He’s dead now. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-twist-on-the-419-scam/650190/4 "2013-02-13T17:14:03Z")
“Pingtung” sounds like a euphemism for female naughty parts. Maybe it’s Mandarin for poontang. ---
**Author:** ![iftheresaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecae2f/32.png) [@iftheresaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iftheresaway)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-twist-on-the-419-scam/650190/5 "2013-02-13T17:34:19Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I’ve gotten variations on this - \*so many \*of our military apparently have millions of not-stolen dollars to move out of war zones. :rolleyes: I never checked to see where the emails originated - mostly, I just giggled over the interesting grammar. I just feel so bad for these poor soldiers who apparently don’t have a single friend or family member they can entrust with the money, and thus are reduced to begging strangers to help. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-twist-on-the-419-scam/650190/6 "2013-02-13T17:48:49Z")
Maybe I should send him a link to USAA financial services. 😉