I received a rather lovely but strange email today

Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS)
#1

"Dear Friend
I write to you in hopes we can become friends. How making this invitation make sense is honestly hard at this time. There is so much about this invitation I can’t imagine working out. But in my beautiful insanity I see us working this out. A logical man would fear responding; an overly sensible one would pick at the uncertainties and choose not to reply. Friendship is not supposed to make sense. When most irrational, is when it’s real! My Name is Wilma and I’m from Sweden.
I’ll look forward to your response.
Yours, Wilma."

It’s pretty obviously spam but there is no obvious scam setup, at least based on the face of this email. I suppose it’s likely to be a “dating” scam where someone pretends to form a relationship with someone then hits them up for money.

But I have to say, it’s so well written.

Wonder if @Mangetout, our resident email scam expert, knows this one…

I need to vent about my proselytizing FIL
#2

She’s gonna want money.

#3

Yep.

The line “A logical man would fear responding; an overly sensible one would pick at the uncertainties and choose not to reply.” is so good. It has to be a quote but I can’t seem to find it on a google search. Either that or we have a new Shakespeare earning a living with email scams.

#4

It could be a quote run through Google translate once or twice.

#5

Seems a little backwards. The sensible one would fear responding. The logical one would pick at the uncertainties.

#6

Good grief, it’s not that well-written. :roll_eyes:

This.

And it’s really from a guy in Nigeria.

#7

I honestly don’t know what you’re hesitation is about.

I think I’m in love.

#8

You have to judge it in context. The average spam along these lines is “I is a AfriCan princess. I’m beautiful very. I hope you can give help to me.”

#9

The way he/she addresses you as a generic “Dear Friend” instead of using your real name certainly strikes me as one of the telltale signs of a scam. I’ve had my fair share of scam emails that include very similar introductions (none of which I’ve responded to, needless to say).

Bottom line is: are you really that desperately lacking in social intimacy that you’d be willing to entertain this person’s overtures? If so, sure, knock yourself out.

If I were you, I’d ask them to transfer a couple million $$$ to my bank account before I continue the conversation :laughing:

#10

No I don’t. My standards don’t depend on context.

I’m well aware.

#11

Well I was going to, but I’m not prepared to converse with someone who doesn’t come up to ThelmaLou’s inflexible standards. I might get sniffed at.

#12

You’ll thank me later.

#13

I get about 10 of these a day. With Booby pictures attached. All from ‘Russian Single Women’. Sometimes the pictures don’t even match.

Hey, not like I’m asking for them.

#14

Sounds like the Nigerians have been persevering in their English lessons. Sort of.

#15

Is the level of English in Nigeria really as bad as the stereotypical “Nigerian E-mail Scam” E-mails?

#16

I’ve actually received a few. Yes, it often is. And really all caps.

#17

Now look here! Where’s my booby pictures, dammit!

Actually I suspect the booby picture bearing emails get zapped by our anti spam software, but the plain text ones have more of a chance of getting through.

#18

I’m sure it varies. But the few Nigerians I’ve actually met have spoken excellent English.

#19

I’d totally respond to it. I’d do it from a burner account, mind you, but I’d do it.

Sure, it’s most likely a scam or spam or whatever, but it doesn’t mean it still can’t be fun.

#20

If you do respond to it, definitely tell “Wilma” that your name is Fred.