This one gets its own listing because of the nice touch at the bottom, requesting that the recipient include a reference # in future correspondence. This is the kind of thing that raises a clumsy scam letter to the level of a howling funny almost-sophisticated clumsy scam letter.

Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 20:48:59 -0700 (PDT) From: (kindly contributor)
Note: forwarded message attached. Dear `Lads', I recently received this business letter and thought you might enjoy-maybe add to your list. Being new to the internet and recently getting rid of my small business this caught me quite off-guard. After a few minutes of investigating I found your site to my relief! I thought I may have to deal with some crazed idiot harassing me. I do think I will turn it over to someone- maybe the local media, just in case there are other newcomers a little more gullable,it's possibly worth mentioning again to the local internet users.Your info on your sight has made me feel a great deal better. Thanks again.

DR. PAUL OBI
EMAIL:paul_o@arabia.com

Sir,
REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP

First, I must solicit your confidence in this transaction, which is of mutual benefit. This is by virtue of it's nature of being utterly confidential and "top secret". I am sure and have confidence of your ability, and reliability to prosecute a transaction of this great magnitude.

We are top Officials of the Federal Government Contract Review Panel, who are interested in importation of goods into our country with funds which are presently trapped in Nigeria. In order to commence this business, we need your assistance to enable us transfer funds into your account.

As members of the Contract Review Panel set up by the Government of Nigeria to review all contracts from 1983 to the present , we have identified a lot of inflated contract funds which are presently floating in the Central Bank of Nigeria ready for payment. By virtue of our position as Civil Servants and members of this Panel, we cannot acquire this money in our names, in this regard I have been delegated by my colleagues of the review Panel to look for an oversea partner into whose account we would transfer the sum of US$21,320,000.00 ( Twenty - One Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Thousand United States Dollars) hence we take the liberty to write you.

The money will be shared as follows:-
1. 20% for the account owner
2. 70% for us (The Officials)
3. 10% to be used in settling taxation and all local and foreign expenses

Please note that this transaction is 100% safe, and risk free, and the whole process will take between 7 to 10 working days from the date of receipt of the following information by Tel/Fax : 234 1 7740449 , Your Company's signed and stamped letterhead with a transcribed "Text" which we would send to you upon receipt of your reply with a letter of interest.

The above information will enable us write letter of claim, and Job description by using your Company name to apply for payment for the above stated amount. Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter using the above Tel/Fax number. Detailed information of this pending business transaction will be sent to you as soon as I hear from you.

Yours faithfully,
DR. PAUL OBI
NOTE: PLEASE QUOTE THIS REFERENCE NUMBER(VE/S/09/99)IN ALL YOUR RESPONSES.....