# Why is African-scheme spam poorly written? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 16, 2006, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970 "2006-09-16T17:23:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2006, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/21 "2006-09-17T18:02:12Z")
[QUOTE=Jurph] Is it possible that there’s evolutionary pressure going on here? Attorney-type letters that are written well succeed, so they’re more likely to be reused or shared within the 419 community. A poorly-written “attorney” letter that gets almost no replies won’t be copied again. [/quote] As I’ve already mentioned, most attorney letters are _not_ copied. In fact, although many have similar themes and general formats, I have very few letters in my collection that have sections that appear to be copied word-for-word. Although they always include some large sum of money that writer needs assistance in getting his hands on, sometimes the source is oil funds, sometimes it is some corrupt government deal, sometimes it is some foreigner who died without a will. (In one case I got a letter alleging that a foreigner who shared my real last name - a name that is extremely rare - had died in a car crash, and they were writing to me in the expectation that I was the next of kin.) Clearly, the English has been composed independently in most of them. It may also be worth mentioning that, although most attorney letters contain a few errors, anyone gullible to believe such a letter in the first place is not going to be put off by a few apparent typos. Since they always come from a foreigner, it’s easy to dismiss them as the kind of mistakes even an educated person might make if their first language were not English. > [@](#): > > A “naive” letter doesn’t need to meet the same threshold of good English to succeed, so the baseline dialect can be worse and it can draw the same level of successful hits. A “naive” letter with exceedingly good English might even seem _too good_ and get a lower level of success. Naive letters are also not copied word-for-word. They also have the theme of a large amount of money that the writer needs assistence in obtaining, but they are even more varied in content than attorney letters. Sometimes the writer is the widow or daughter of some merchant or official, usually killed by some corrupt regime (I have received letters from the widows of dictators, kings, and generals, not to mention the widow of Yasser Arafat), sometimes it is missionary that is seeking to disburse charitable donations, etc. As you point out in your second sentence, although good English enhances the versimilitude of an attorney letter, it decreases the believability of a naive letter. Hence the differences seen between the two kinds of letters. > [@](#): > > The only obstacle to this theory would be if successful letters don’t have a chance to “reproduce”, but if 419ers cooperate at all, then a successful letter would have lots of value even if shared. You would think if successful letters were shared or passed around, I would get multiple copies of very similar letters. While I occasionally do get duplicates or near-duplicates, this is uncommon. They generally vary quite a bit. (That’s one reason I collect them.) For amusement, here’s another example from my collection. This one tells me I am a beneficiary of the will of former British Prime Minister Edward Hearth. While there are some typos and oddities of expression, the English itself is pretty good, and much better than the typical “naive” letter. > [@](#): > > Rev. Fr. Roy Nicola, OSB > St. Catherine’s Catholic Parish > Drovers Lane > PENRITH > CA11 9EL > > Dear Beloved, > > Greetings from Lancaster, England! > > On behalf of the Trustees and Executors of the late British Prime, Sir Edward Richard George Heath, KG I once again try to notify you as our letter to you by the lawyer through the post were returned undelivered, hence I hereby attempt to reach you via your e-mail address. > > I wish to notify you that the late Sir Edward Heath made you a beneficiary to his (will), he bequeathed the sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars Only (US$750,000.00), to you in the codicil and last testament to his (will). This may sound very strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and true. Being a widely popular travelled man, he must have been in contact with you in the past or simply you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends here or abroad who wished you well. Sir Edward died in Salisbury, England, July 17, 2005 at the age of (89) years. He served in the Royal Artillery during World War II, rising to the rank of Colonel. He was elected to Parliament as a Conservative in 1950, and held several posts in the party whip’s office (1951-55), before becoming Government chief whip and parliamentary secretary to the treasury (1955-59), He was Minister of Labour (1959-60) that led the Tory Government as Prime Minister between 1970 and 1974. > > The late Sir Edward Heath until death was a real gentle man, a very dedicated Christian who loved to give out, his support to the Church here in England is very fresh in our memories. Quoting former Labour Chancellor Roy Jenkins, a friend of Sir Edward, Mr. Tony Blair added: "He was a great lighthouse which stands there flashing out beams of light, indifferent to the waves which beat against him. > > He was also a member of several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), here in UK and beyond, his great Philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his lifetime. According to him this bequest is to support your Christian activities and to help the poor and the less privileged ones in your local community and Country. > > Please if I reach you as I am hopeful, endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible to enable the lawyer executing the (will), conclude his job, you forward your most current telephone and fax numbers including your mailing address. > > I look forward to hearing from you soon. > > Yours sincerely in the Risen Lord, > > Rev. Fr. Roy Nicola, OSB. ---
**Author:** ![Valteron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f17d59/32.png) [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/22 "2006-09-18T01:42:54Z")
[QUOTE=Colibri] Here’s an example of a letter in French. It’s interesting in that it tells basically the same story as Esther Totime’s above, but it is not a straight translation. It looks to me to have the same kind of grammatical and spelling errors as the English version. However, I would be interested to hear from a native French speaker what their impression is. (While I can read French, I’m no expert.) [/QUOTE] Colibri, I am a professional French-English translator and interpreter. Generally speaking, the French message, which I have reproduced below, is written in good but imperfect French. I have highlighted some of the corrections in red (hope this works). My general impression is that the level of imprefection in the French is consistent with a young woman in a French-speaking west African country, who is of upper-class origin and has received a fair amount of education for a woman in that part of the world. So in other words, the quality of the written French is interesetingly consistent with what the writer is claiming to be. Also, it confirms her claim to be in need of help, as if she really needs someone else to back her up. I have only corrected the first few lines, but the entire message contains some 15 or 20 grammar or spelling mistakes, as well as one or two run-on sentences. However, none of these mistakes is enough to confuse the reader or make the message unclear, you will note. Perhaps these errors ARE indeed planted there on purpose. CHER MONSIEUR OU ET MADAME Permetez-moi de me presenter à vous. Je suis Mlle ColletteN’Guessan la seule fille du regretté Mr (M., not Mr.) et Mme N’Guessan Victor. Mon père était l’un des riches hommes marchand de cacao en Côte d’Ivoire. Il à eté enpoisonné (empoisonné with an ‘m’)par ses collègues pendant qu’ils était(étaient) en bâteau pour l’exportation du cacao.Quant à ma mère elle est morte quand j’étais encore bébé.Pour cette raison mon père ma traité convenablement,avant sa mort. Dans une clinique privée a abidjan en novembre 2002 il m’a secretement appellé sur son lit d’hopital pour me dire qu’il possède la somme de Huit million cinq cent mille dollars ( $8.500,000) qui se trouve dans une société de sécurité privée ici en Côte d’Ivoire Abidjan,comme des trésors d’une famille,qui porte mon nom donc,je suis la personne qui peut accéder à cet argent il m’a expliqué que c’est à cause de son argent qu’il à été empoisonné.Dans ce cas il m’a dit de chercher un partenaire étranger de mon choix ou je pourrai transferer l’argent afin de l’investir dans différents secteurs comme dans le domaine de l’immobilier ou dans l’hôtelerie. Cher Monsieur je souhaite votre assistance.Je demande humblement votre aide ainsi que des suggestions et des idées venant de vous seront grandement appréciées. Maintenant, je voudrais que vous m’aidiez : 1. Pour les retrait de ces fonds 2)A venir au près de vous pour finir mes études en m’assurant le gîte et le couvert? 3)En gardant cet argent parce que je n’ai que 19 ans 4)Dites moi est-ce que,je peux vous faire entièrement confiance? 5)Pouvez-vous honnêtement me prendre en tant que vos propres et m’aider? 6)Quel pourcentage exigerez-vous une fois l’argent dans votre pays? Je vous prie de bien vouloir me donner une reponse rapide pour que je puisse vous expédier les documents nécessaires pour cet transfert. Ma vie n’est pas en sécurité ici car mes oncles veulent attenter à ma vie pour prendre les autres biens de mon père, heureusement ils ne sont pas au courant de cet argent. Merci, ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/23 "2006-09-18T04:34:56Z")
[QUOTE=Valteron] Colibri, I am a professional French-English translator and interpreter. Generally speaking, the French message, which I have reproduced below, is written in good but imperfect French. I have highlighted some of the corrections in red (hope this works). My general impression is that the level of imprefection in the French is consistent with a young woman in a French-speaking west African country, who is of upper-class origin and has received a fair amount of education for a woman in that part of the world. So in other words, the quality of the written French is interesetingly consistent with what the writer is claiming to be. Also, it confirms her claim to be in need of help, as if she really needs someone else to back her up. I have only corrected the first few lines, but the entire message contains some 15 or 20 grammar or spelling mistakes, as well as one or two run-on sentences. However, none of these mistakes is enough to confuse the reader or make the message unclear, you will note. [/quote] Thanks. In other words, it’s rather consistent with the level of English found in the Esther Totime letter I quoted above, which although it has many spelling and grammatical mistakes and some odd phrasings, is perfectly understandable. (It’s interesting that the level seems to be so similar, even though, since the Ivory Coast is a francophone country, Ivorians might be expected to be much better in French than in English). I would note that some Nigerians themselves are fluent in French as well as English, since there is a lot of contact with neighboring francophone countries. My French/English translator in Gabon was a Nigerian. ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/24 "2006-09-18T05:05:54Z")
[QUOTE=“Colette N’Guessan”, via Valteron] Je suis Mlle ColletteN’Guessan la seule fille du regretté Mr (M., not Mr.) et Mme N’Guessan Victor. [/QUOTE] Hijack: I’ve seen a few francophones use “Mr” or “Mr.” instead of “M.” as the abbreviation for “monsieur”, and I’m not sure it’s always due to the influence of English. In this case, for example, I don’t see why English usage would interfere with the French skills of someone from Côte d’Ivoire – how common is English in this country, anyway? So does anyone know if it might be an archaic usage? ---
**Author:** ![Themenin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee59a6/32.png) [@Themenin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Themenin)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/25 "2006-09-18T11:17:52Z")
My take on the French letter is that it’s a mix of ‘cut and paste’, translation and re-writes. Apart from the issue of spelling / grammar mistakes, there are a number of instances of awkward ‘foreign sounding’ usages in the letter - > [@](#): > > Mon père était l’un des riches hommes marchand de cacao en Côte d’Ivoire ``` not sure if this is translated, or if there's simply a clause missing due to cut and paste ``` > [@](#): > > il m’a secretement appellé sur son lit d’hopital sounds like a translation of ‘secretly called’, _sur_ son lit is also a little odd > [@](#): > > $8.500,000 mixing the use of decimal and thousands separators > [@](#): > > comme des trésors d’une famille ``` (en tant que ?) odd phrase, could be just confused, or could be a mis-translation of 'as' ``` > [@](#): > > il m’a dit de chercher un partenaire étranger de mon choix ``` sounds a lot like the American 'partner of my choice' formulation, rather than the more natural 'choisir un partenaire étranger' ``` > [@](#): > > en m’assurant le gîte et le couvert? ``` a fairly archaic phrase - the more common term is 'm'héberger', though I'm not sure if this is local usage or babelfish. French usage also requires a space before question marks etc. although this letter doesn't leave a space after periods either... ``` > [@](#): > > Pouvez-vous honnêtement me prendre en tant que vos propres et m’aider? doesn’t mean much in French, and is presumably a translation of something like ‘take me as your own’ (not necessarily from English though) I don’t know what ‘honnêtement’ could mean in this sentence - ‘vraiment’ ? the adverb followed by verb formation that shows up throughout the letter is also pretty awkward in French, as it generally doesn’t follow the ‘cadences majeures’ rule, not exactly an error, but a definite indicator of a non-native speaker. A quick Google of ‘mes oncles veulent attenter à ma vie’ (another awkward phrase) shows three different scam letters containing this phrase. It’s interesting that language errors make it easy to track down these letters, so if the writers include the errors on purpose, as per a previous poster, they may not be doing themselves any favors ! OK - I’m definitely spending too much time on this, just found the same letter in English by Googling > [@](#): > > $8.500,000 [http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/archive/index.php/t-1646.html](http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/archive/index.php/t-1646.html) Interesting thread ! ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/26 "2006-09-18T15:47:36Z")
[QUOTE=Themenin] OK - I’m definitely spending too much time on this, just found the same letter in English by Googling [http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/archive/index.php/t-1646.html](http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/archive/index.php/t-1646.html) [/QUOTE] While it tells a similar story, as with the Esther Totime letter I posted, the letter in French is not a direct translation of that letter. For one thing, the French letter says the woman’s father was poisoned (as does the Totime letter), while that one says he died “'during the political war crisis.” This letter does not accuse anyone in particular of causing his death, while the French letter says he was killed by his business associates, and the Totime letter accuses the woman’s uncle. In this letter and the French one the woman is afraid that her uncles will kill her, but not in the Totime letter. And so on. There are some very close similarities (e.g. the phrase “since then my father took me so special” in both English letters, and “Pour cette raison mon père ma traité convenablement”’ in the French; although the figures are different, all three letters use a mix of decimals and commas in stating the amount of the currency). Obviously the letters are related, and some bits are exactly the same. But they are not mere copies or translations; they have been re-written in large part. ---
**Author:** ![slaphead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@slaphead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slaphead)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/27 "2006-09-18T16:05:41Z")
I can’t say that I’ve ever paid that much attention to the garbage that ends up in my spam mailbox, but my impression has always been that they are, well, spammers. I.e. they operate on the basis of volume rather than quality. Why waste time on english classes or fine-tuning the grammar of your solicitation when you could use that time harvesting more email addresses from webpages, or cobbling together a new-ish variation of your cousin’s sucessful ‘gold mine owner who died in a car crash’ letter to send to all the people who received your ‘I stole the budget for an airport’ and ‘my husband was the minister of finance’ emails? My favourite was from someone who was apparently the accountant of some deceased german gentleman involved in the ‘oilgold’ business. I’m supposed to send money to someone who can’t even search & replace? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/28 "2006-09-18T16:15:23Z")
Am I the first to point out that the (mis)use of “African-American” in the title is the type of example that people are always asking for when we talk about the use of the term? I don’t think that any American, let alone black ones have anything to do with the Nigerian scams. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/29 "2006-09-18T16:43:52Z")
I often wondered why “Nigerian” letters of this type had such bad English, as English is Nigeria’s official language, but if they really come from all over Africa then that makes more sense… ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/30 "2006-09-18T17:06:17Z")
**Shagnasty** , where do you see “American” in this thread title? ---
**Author:** ![Lars-H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ee59a6/32.png) [@Lars-H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lars-H)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/31 "2006-09-18T17:13:22Z")
This 419 scam that I found via [The Register](http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/04/iraq_419/) is about the most bizzare one I have ever come across. It purpots to be from an American Marine serving in Iraq who has found some large amount of money, cocaine and WMDs. The language is totally off and I can’t believe that this is intentional. > [@](#): > > Dear Friend, > > I am Sgt Chung Lee Tao of the US Marine Force on Monitoring and Peace –keeping mission in Baghdad-Iraq. On the 10th day of August 2006, > > We were alerted on the sudden presence of some Terrorists camping in a suburb not too far from Karbala here in Iraq. After Immediate intervention, we captured three (3) of the Terrorists, twenty-six (26) were killed leaving seven (7) injured. > > In the process of torture they confessed being rebels for late Ayman al-Zawahiri and took us to a cave in Karbala which served as their camp. > > Here we recovered several guns, bombs and other Ammunitions including some boxes among which two contains nuclear weapons, one filled with hard drugs (cocaine) and the other four to my amazement contain some US Dollars amounting to $25M after I and two of my junior intelligent officers counted them. I however instructed them to keep this in high secrecy. > > I am in keen need of a “Reliable and Trustworthy” person like you who would receive, secure and protect these boxes containing the US Dollars for me up on till my assignment elapses in here in Iraq. I assure and promise to give you 20% of this fund. > > Please assure me of your keeping this topmost secret to protect my job with the US Monitoring and Peace-Keeping mission. > > Sincere regards, > Sgt Chung Lee Tao ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/32 "2006-09-18T18:51:26Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] I often wondered why “Nigerian” letters of this type had such bad English, as English is Nigeria’s official language, but if they really come from all over Africa then that makes more sense… [/QUOTE] I’m uncertain how many of the letters that purport to come from elsewhere than Nigeria actually do so. Perhaps they actually continue to originate in Nigeria, but the scammers just pretend they come from somewhere else. Perhaps they come from Nigerians living elsewhere. And it’s also possible that they actually come from copycat scammers living in the places they alledgedly come from. But I certainly wouldn’t assume that the locations given in the letters reflect their actual locations. I see little difference in these letters regardless of where they supposedly originate from, whether Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Hong Kong, Cyprus, the Philippines, or the UK. The country of supposed origin can’t be used to account for the quality of the English. The English letters “from” Cote d’Ivoire are pretty similar in quality to those “from” the anglophone countries. (Interestingly, while I have received both English and French letters from francophone countries, I have never received a letter in French from an anglophone country.) ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2006, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/33 "2006-09-20T02:23:59Z")
This is really fascinating, and kudos to y’all who are keeping track of the finer distinctions. I’ve heard of it, but, fortunately, have not been on the receiving end. Does anyone really fall for this ??? I just can’t imagine getting an e-mail like this and thinking it was at all real. What are the stats on people taking this bait? I’m just boggled, but, then, I never buy anything from telemarketers, either, and can’t figure out why anyone would. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2006, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/34 "2006-09-20T02:59:59Z")
A couple of years ago, I asked the Throbbing Brain “[do Nigerians really talk like that?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=266031&highlight=nigerians)” I worded the question like one of the stilted letters, and the general consensus seemed to be that among educated Nigerians, very formal, though somewhat butchered Victorian-style English is the norm among English speakers from Nigeria, and also many other British colonies such as India. I’ve been collecting Russian Bride letters, and the English is always horrible. It’s a distinct kind of bad, though, much different than the bad Nigerian letters. > [@](#): > > Hello. I have familiarized with your questionnaire If you have time for dialogue with me through email, please write to me [tatyaanna@yahoo.com](mailto:tatyaanna@yahoo.com) , I shall wait your letter. > [@](#): > > I read your profile and I tell you that you are very interesting for me! And I tell you that I want to study you as it is possible better. But I shall think that through this site we with you very for a long time to get acquainted with each other, therefore I to suggest you to start correspond through email!!! I think it is very good idea! My email is: [irina2481@rambler.ru](mailto:irina2481@rambler.ru) Have good day, with the best regards Irina. I shall wait the letter from you. Have good day. > [@](#): > > My name is Tatyana. I saw yours profile on this site. You have interested me and for this reason I have solved to write to you. I hope that I can interest you too. You can write to me on mine private e-mail adress [Bublik2006@yahoo.com](mailto:Bublik2006@yahoo.com) If I can receive your answer, I shall write you more about myself in my next letter. I’ll wait your letter with big impatience. > With best regards. > Tatyana. > [@](#): > > I think, that I - open woman, honour, if I think something, that I speak it. I never make something Behind of the man a back, for me it is important. I am quiet, is perfect, I like love and to be Liked, and communication. I want to find man, who is self-confident, is brave and is well based. I search The man, who - individual, who finds pleasant itself as, he is also who he. He should be Intellectual, ready to compromise and to feel propensity to support. He should be capable to express Itsfeelings. If it you that write me on:kiksa2005\_27 at yahoo dot com > [@](#): > > My name is Julia. I the usual girl from a small Russian town. I am 28 years old. I very cheerful and optimistical. I like to conduct an active way of life and to go in for sports. I want to find serious american man for creation of family. I for the first time am dated on this site. I am a little confused, because I have not enough experience in it and and I really do not know what to write to you. Probably I am very brave, therefore I write to you. I looked profile of various guys, and have seen your. You have very much interested me and liked as the person, I have decided to write to you. Probably you - my unique the man. Though actually it is very uneasy to find the love through the Internet, but I shall hope for it up to the last. Now, I need look forward to hearing from you, you write me back? I shall give you personal e-mail for fast connection with me. My e-mail: [kessalove@rambler.ru](mailto:kessalove@rambler.ru) I with not patience shall wait for the letter from you. And with pleasure I shall be ready to answer all your questions. I shall send you the image in the following letter. With hope your new sincere friend Julia. To compare, the following are Nigerian “sweetheart scam” letters. > [@](#): > > My Name is Jeniffer Smith,I am 30 years of age,I Live in Trumann in Arkansas Usa,i am 5"4 Tall slim and white in Complexion,i am a christian by religion and also a single lady ,never married and have no kids,I am Looking for a Long Term Relatonship,if a Husband,I pray for that. > > I am a Kind,caring,Honest and God Fearing Lady,I am self Emolpyed,i do sell and Buy computer Accessories and Electronics as well,I Live alone and Tired of been lonely,so i am willing to Relocate if I found the Right Man,i have been into several Commited relationship,but not yet Married,I am Looking for someone that will make me Happy and also Bring Light and Love into my Life,My Both parents are late and I Live alone in the states,and right now,i am Looking for a Kind,Caring and Honest Man,if you are Please fee free to Im me on my Yahoo Account,so that we can Talk Better which is [lonely\_jeniffer001@yahoo.com](mailto:lonely_jeniffer001@yahoo.com) either for chatting,or by Email. > > I Love to swim,dance,read Books and also attend parties and also Love Pets > After going Thru your Profile,I just wish to chat with you and also to know more about you and if you are intrtesed also in chatting with me,so you can reach me back so that we can get to know eachother better,Who Kowns where the Right One Lives? > Thanks and God Bless > Jeniffer Smith. > [@](#): > > take a look at ur profile too and i think we can be a good match .i will like you to know a lil bit about me. i vivian james i was born thirty years ago and i was raised in ohio dayton until i lost my mum thru a fatal accident, i was ten years old then.i left the states when i was thirteen cos my dad was a smoker, drunker and a womaniser that dosent care for me and my two younger brothers which i found irritable as a young girl then .so i have to leave with my grand mum for the Belgium,brussels precisely .so as to further my carrier there,and till this very moment am still seeking for better job but still woking in a store as a cleaner .am a very good cook like to see movies cycling swiming.i do visit my family in the states thrice or more in a year cos i still love my dad despite all his bad behavious.pls i dont like cyber sex i will like to see you in person,and i dont want you to think of the distance its the motive behind it that matters.u can contact me on my private e.mail [vivianjames2006@yahoo.com](mailto:vivianjames2006@yahoo.com) > [@](#): > > I Love your facinating look, Am Flora Martins,i was 31 on feb 24.I grew up in New York with my folks until something terrible happened to them,so i later moved to belgium with my granmum because i aint got nobody to be with in the state,a situation that i hate so much but since i aint got no choice i had to moved with her there.Am new to the internet and this very sight but i was persuaded by a new friend here to try my luck out hoping not to regret it…i guess!!,but because i had gone trough a lot of sad moment here with there men.And after so many tries and all that and with no good result stil, that reason why i decided to find a man back in the state cos thats the only way to wipe off my difficulties and all my misfortune i had gone trough.A man that really knows what truly, love is all about and how important to be in love.A man that will be like a father,brother,husband and a real companion.am not into cyber sex cos i hate it so much and any thing that associated with internet sex. > > I like to cook a lot,seeing movies at a cinema,visiting nature places like rocks,water falls,hills and beaches cos i also love to swim as an exersise and for fun.I might not be that good in writing but with the litle i have done i guess have leting you know all about me but if ya got any question please you can ask me any time…ok!!!, you can also reach me on my private e mail address cos that is the only way we can communicate well…here ya go, [floramartins4ever@yahoo.com.we](mailto:floramartins4ever@yahoo.com.we) can as well chat too,so… hope to read from you soon?. > Best regards and God bless. > Flora Martins > [@](#): > > I,m RITA from NEW JERSEY 35yrs old and i have one son,have been divource for 4yrs now.so i saw your profile and am intrest in the pic thats why i sent you email,because am divource looking for the right man to spend the rest of my life with.but right now am presently in west africa taking care of my sick mom plan to get back soon.i was born in NEW JERSEY raise up in UK,so if you,ve intrest just write me back,here is my email address ([rita\_4luv8027545277@yahoo.com](mailto:rita_4luv8027545277@yahoo.com))or if you care to chat me here is my ID rita\_4luv8027545277…i,ll be looking forward to hear from you,have nice great day. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2006, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/35 "2006-09-20T03:22:33Z")
[QUOTE=elelle] This is really fascinating, and kudos to y’all who are keeping track of the finer distinctions. I’ve heard of it, but, fortunately, have not been on the receiving end. [/quote] You’ve never received a Nigerian letter? You must be one of the last people on the Internet never to have gotten one. I received my first one by fax, I think in the early 1990s. I’ve certainly received hundreds by now. (But then, I’ve had the same work e-mail for many years, and having worked in West Africa, my e-mail address is circulating there like chum in shark-fested waters.) > [@](#): > > Does anyone really fall for this ??? I just can’t imagine getting an e-mail like this and thinking it was at all real. What are the stats on people taking this bait? I’m just boggled, but, then, I never buy anything from telemarketers, either, and can’t figure out why anyone would. According to [this site:](http://www.consumerwebwatch.org/dynamic/fraud-investigation-checks-in-mail.cfm) > [@](#): > > A lot of people appear to be falling for these pitches, at least at the outset. The U.S. Secret Service, which has primary responsibility for handling 419 cases, receives about 100 telephone calls and 300 to 500 letters or e-mail from victims each day. And although the Service believes many victims do not report their losses to authorities due to either fear or embarrassment, its Financial Crimes Division nonetheless estimates annual U.S. losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars. > > But there’s good news, too: The FBI is seeing more 419 activity because Internet users are spotting it, not falling for it. “The output of the letters is growing just because they’re spamming them all over the world," says Lourdeau. “The potential of the crime is growing. But we have not received an increase in individuals actually providing complaints that they have been taken in.” There really are a great variety of these scams. This [Wikipedia article](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_fee_fraud) gives various examples. One that I’ve seen a lot of in recent years is the lottery scam: > [@](#): > > FROM: THE DESK OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR > INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRICE AWARD DEPARTMENT. > REF No: EGS/2251256003/02 > BATCH No :10-23-44-72-80 > Serial No: MUOTI/82536 > Ticket No: WRNM/SMI/5990 > RE: AWARD NOTIFICATION/ FINAL NOTICE: > POWERBALL LOTTERY. BV > POWER BALL LOTTERY E-WHEEL E-GAME 2006. > CONSOLATION PRIZE WINNING NOTICE!!! > We wish to congratulate you over your email success in our computer > balloting sweepstake held on 31th August 2006. This is a millennium > scientific computer game in which email addresses were used. It is a > promotional programe aimed at encouraging internet users; therefore you do > not need to buy ticket to enter for it. You have been approved for the > star prize of £528,000:00 (Five Hundred And Twenty Eight Thousand GBP).To > claim your winning prize you are to contact the appointed agent as soon as > possible for the immediate release of your winnings: > > Mr.Clau Williams, > Claim Processing Manager, > E-mail: \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*[hotmail.co.uk](http://hotmail.co.uk) > Tel: \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* > You must contact the appointed agent with your Full Names, Contact > Telephone Numbers (Home, Office and Mobile Number and also Fax Number) via > email to process the immediate payment of your prize. The Validity period > of the winnings is for 14 working days hence you are expected to make your > claims immediately, any claim not made before this date will be returned > to European Union Treasury as Unclaimed. > > Best Regards, > > Mrs Maria Bravo. > (Group -Coordinator) I calculate I have won several billion dollars to date. Regarding my previous post, I see the Wiki article has the following information: > [@](#): > > These scams have come to be associated by the western media with Nigeria due to the massive proliferation of such confidence tricks from that country since the early-nineties, as well as the reputation of the country for corruption. However these scams typically are carried out in other countries that have either experienced economic turmoil, corruption and dictatorship such as Togo, Congo, the Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Sierra Leone or countries that have a large population of well-educated but unemployed university graduates such as Ghana and Benin or increasingly from cities with large West African immigrant populations, notably London, Amsterdam, Johannesburg and Madrid, and lately also Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2006, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/36 "2006-09-20T04:34:46Z")
Thank God no white American guy could ever get on the internet and run a fraud pretending to be an ignorant African guy. Where would we be then? Tris ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2006, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/37 "2006-09-20T04:44:45Z")
No, honestly, I’ve not got a one of em, just stupid viagra and drug and rolex mass mailings ; somehow I expect that might change shortly :smack: I just don’t get it at all, at All; it’s like a peddlar puts a foot in my door trying to sell something, “Uh, No Thanks” “Gee, this person from all across the waters wants Me to get the big bucks! Wow!” As with the peddlar, “Don’t think so…” I’m amazed anyone would fall for it, it’s so obviously a scam. Continue with the nice distinctions here, though, it’s very interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2006, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/38 "2006-09-20T04:54:44Z")
[QUOTE=Colibri] Now, there are a couple of typos, but overall that could have come from someone who is who he purports to be. In fact, when I receive authentic official letters in English from non-English speakers, they often have worse errors. [/QUOTE] When I receive authentic official letters in English from English speakers, they often have far worse errors! ---
**Author:** ![FRDE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e68b1a/32.png) [@FRDE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FRDE)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2006, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/39 "2006-09-20T10:21:47Z")
I used to lurk at [www.419eater.com](http://www.419eater.com) - like CMYK They know a heck of a lot about how the 419ers are organized. For example they often work in a sort of pyramid, the ones at the bottom do the grunt work and pass likely looking marks up the line. A boss guy is called an ‘oga’. They call the marks ‘mugus’ which means idiots. They also run tag teams - I’ve seen evidence of that. While 419 letters come from all over the place, easily checked by looking at Email headers, they are nearly always sent by Nigerians - they have a huge diaspora. For some reason scamming is endemic to Nigerian culture. (One gets phishing from East Europe and some begging from India - the Far East like fake trading web sites). They sell on template letters and there is quite an industry in making up fake documentation. It seems that most Nigerians speak English, but it is a ‘pidgin’ version, so they are not really aware of some of the things that strike us as peculiar. Their legal stuff comes from their own legal system, which is a peculiar mutation of the British one. In the UK a Barrister is a lawyer that fronts court appearances, but in Nigeria it is a top dog lawyer. Another ‘funny’ is their use of the word _ **modalities** _ which means ‘things to be done’ - drop that in a conversation and you’ll get some laughs from people who have looked into 419. They can be amazingly linguistically versatile, one person managed to switch their bait into Russian … If anyone wants to know more about 419, then they would be wise to look at the 419eater site, especially in the Forum. Although, at first sight 419eater looks like people having fun, the underlying motive is to make people aware of scams - the humour is a way of spreading the word. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2006, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970/40 "2006-09-20T11:00:54Z")
[QUOTE=Colibri] As an item of interest, here’s one in Spanish, claiming to be from the Ivory Coast (Costa de Marfil). This is an “attorney” type letter, and the Spanish isn’t too bad. I don’t know exactly what to make of this one. I don’t know whether it’s someone in Africa who has learned Spanish (perhaps from Equatorial Guinea, which was once a Spanish colony - when I worked in Gabon, I met a couple of guys from there and was able to communicate with them in Spanish), or someone from Latin America who is copying the scam. The latter seems to be unlikely, though, since I don’t know why they would claim to be from Ivory Coast in that case. (One of the more bizarre letters I have is from “Ramos Qropenza”, who claimed to be a Venezuelan living in Cyprus, but wrote to me in English.) [/QUOTE] The Spanish isn’t too bad if the reader doesn’t speak Spanish… there isn’t a single sentence that sounds like it was written by someone who actually speaks the language. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-african-scheme-spam-poorly-written/372970.md?page=3)