I received an e-mail from ActiveRain from what I thought was a potential client. When I opened it up, it was the typical e-mail of the Nigerian scam. I can't believe that we are actually getting these through the Rain. Now for those of you who are unfamiliar with this type of scam, I will fill you in.

First you get an e-mail stating that either a long lost relative has passed away, probably one you have never heard of or knew about, and left a substancial cash settlement (usually anywhere from a few million to as high as 70 million) to you. They are willing to help you claim the money for a percentage, usually between 30% and 70%. All they need you to do is send them your telephone number and fax number so they can send you the forms to fill out.

Here is the e-mail that I received. I did not edit anything out.

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Now here is how the scam actually works. After you get this e-mail, you are probably thinking you are the next millionaire. You immediately e-mail the person back asking what you need to do to get the ball rolling. He sends you an e-mail back, usually in 2 or 3 days (this makes them seem extremely busy with other things, which is usually milking other suckers) saying that they need to fax you some documents for you to sign. In these documents they ask you for your name, address, phone number, social security number and the other usual stuff.

Most people actually send this information to them, thinking they are going to get millions of dollars. Now once they receive this information, they will inform you that in order to send the money to you, the I.R.S. (either this country or theirs) needs a portion of the taxes paid before the transfer. They will want you to pay this, which ranges anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. They will also at the same time ask you for your bank account number and routing information so after the taxes are paid, they will send the money to you.

That is where you lose everything you have. You pay the "taxes", which really go to them, and they also empty out your bank accounts as well. By the time you figure everything out, they have already run off with the money and the government can't do anything about it, and neither can your bank.

Now, for those of you who get an e-mail like that and actually read it, you can find several mistakes (besides spelling) that should trigger your alarm bell inside your head.

First, how can someone think you are trustworthy without ever talking to you? Ennie Minnie Miney Moe isn't exactly the best way to see if you are trustworthy.

Second, if "he use to be my good friend when he was alive" why didn't he just leave him the money in case something happened to both him and his son?

Third, "The service of an Attorney will be needed to seal everything and to change the data and information in his file so as to enable us transfer it swiftly". What attorney is simply going to certify that you are this persons next of kin without proof? What bank would just sign off on this and say "Sure, we have a piece of paper with no direct proof. Send the transfer!"

These are the three easiest things that would blow that alarm in your head right to hell. So please, if you get an e-mail that looks like this, either in your personal e-mail or here on the Rain, delete it and don't think about it again, at least until the next one.