# More fun with Nigerian scams... and a question **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 9, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-nigerian-scams-and-a-question/577801 "2011-04-09T21:42:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-nigerian-scams-and-a-question/577801/1 "2011-04-09T21:42:34Z")
* * * How are you today? I write to inform you that we have already sent you $5,000.00USD through Western Union corresponding of in Togo as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full compensation payment of $1.800,000.00USD via Western Union Money Transfer by the United Nations (ECOWAS). This is because the United Nations and (ECOWAS) are supporting individuals due to the worldwide economy meltdown. I would have requested for your phone number to give you the information through phone but internet hackers were many. So i decided to email you the MTCN and sender name so that you can pick up this $5,000.00USD to enable us send another $5,000.00USD by tomorrow as you know that we will be sending you only $5,000.00USD per day. The fund was sent in the name which you use in opening your e-mail address. Please pick up this information and rush to any Western Union to pick up the $5,000.00USD and send us an email back to enable us send you another payment by tomorrow. Manager : Dr. John Kwame Payment Information. MTCN :\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_353-035-6597 Sender’s Name:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Brenda Martin Text Question:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_How Long Answer:\_\_\_\__**Immediately Amount Sent**_$5000.00USD Country:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Togo Please Send us the below information for your next payment. Country: Mobile Number: Sex: Receiver’s Name: Email me once you picked up this USD5000.00 today. Here is the western union information to pick up the USD5000.00. ## Thanks Dr. John Kwame Thoughts: 1. It’s a shame to see the Planeteers have had to resort to scamming in order to save the Earth. 2. If THIS is what our government’s UN dues are going towards, it’s no wonder we’ve got a budget crisis. 3. The scammer was too afraid of “internet hackers” to call me on the phone, but _sending an email_ is perfectly safe and secure? 4. What happens if I actually go to a Western Union outlet and try to “Receive Money” with this info? I assume there isn’t actually $5,000 just waiting to be picked up by whoever takes the bait. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2011, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-nigerian-scams-and-a-question/577801/2 "2011-04-09T21:54:45Z")
This is the first scam email I’ve seen that asks for your sex. I suspect a sex slavery ring. Proceed with caution… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2011, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-nigerian-scams-and-a-question/577801/3 "2011-04-10T00:55:54Z")
Western Union will say it’s invalid. If you tell the scammer that, you’ll get a reply like: > [@](#): > > The problem right now is because the transaction has stayed over two weeks on the system, it has been deactivated and as such it needs to be re-activated before you can be able to pick it up. Remember, it is $5,000.00 USD daily until the full compensation amount has been paid to you. Please understand that re-activating the transaction will cost you $100.00 USD. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2011, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-nigerian-scams-and-a-question/577801/4 "2011-04-10T01:03:36Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > What happens if I actually go to a Western Union outlet and try to “Receive Money” with this info? I assume there isn’t actually $5,000 just waiting to be picked up by whoever takes the bait. You never know. Think Pascal’s Wager, and let us know how it goes. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2011, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-nigerian-scams-and-a-question/577801/5 "2011-04-10T11:11:30Z")
If you wake in a bath full of ice with your kidneys gone, don’t come here looking for sympathy! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2011, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-nigerian-scams-and-a-question/577801/6 "2011-04-10T11:52:22Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The fund was sent in the name which you use in > opening your e-mail address. I’m going to have a really hard time coming up with ID that says my name is Frank SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-nigerian-scams-and-a-question/577801/7 "2011-04-11T16:49:27Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I’m going to have a really hard time coming up with ID that says my name is Frank SDMB. You’re looking at it wrong. I say, the question is: Can you come up with ID in the name of Frank SDMB that is at least as convincing as the Nigerian e-mail? Post results here.