As you can see below from the quoted spam/scam email I got in my inbox last week, they’re even personalizing the scams now. Think I should go for the money? Theo says it’s a sure thing (wink, wink). I’ll miss Bernard, even though he never existed…
“Attn: Dave Mancuso
I am Barrister THEOPHILUS OKOH personal attorney to late MR. BERNARD MANCUSO, a national of your country, who used to work with Chevron Oil Company here in Nigeria herein after, shall be referred to as my client. My client with his entire family (The wife and two Children) was involved in the explosion in Lagos, Nigeria, on January 27, 2002, that claimed many lives and properties. Regrettably, my client and the family lost their lives in that unfortunate incident. Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.
My purpose of contacting you is to assist in repatriating/retrieving the money and property left behind by my client prior to his death before they are declared unserviceable by the company and the bank where the deceased had an account valued at about US$2.8 Million dollars. The bank had issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account close while the money sent to the federation account in compliance to Nigeria banking ethics. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over one year now I seek your consent as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name/surname so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$2.8 million dollars with accrued interest up to date can be paid to you. I have all the necessary official and legal documents that can be used to back up your claim. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable me as the legal attorney to the deceased in seeing that you receive your inheritance fund. I guarantee that this will be executed legitimately to protect you from any breach of the law.”