So, there I was, dutifully being a wage slave, when *ping!* I had mail. Pop over to my in-box and I have a message from a MR.UMARU SHEHU, who I've never heard of before. After reading his rather wordy message (below), I realized I had been targeted by a scam I've heard about on CNN.

Wow...I feel almost like I made it onto CNN. To think that I, a lowly engineer would be targeted by a famous scam.

Oh, and if you're a little deficient on cynicism and rather high in gullibility...no, you won't get part of $25 million if you give this guy your power of attorney.

In reply to:

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Dear Sir,

I am Mr. Umaru Shehu. Bank Manager of Diamond Bank of
Nigeria, Lagos Branch. I have urgent and very
confidential business proposition for you. On June 6,
1997, a FOREIGN Oil consultant/contractor, Mr. Barry
Kelly made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve
calendar months, valued at US$25,000,000.00 (Twenty-
five Million Dollars) in my branch. Upon maturity, I
sent a routine notification to his forwarding address
but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder
and finally we discovered from his contract employers, that Mr.
Barry Kelly died from an automobile accident. On
further investigation, I found out that he died
without making a WILL, and all attempts to trace his
next of kin was fruitless. I therefore made further
investigation and discovered that Mr. Barry Kelly did
not declare any kin or relations in all his official
documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my
Bank. This sum of US$25,000,000.00 is still sitting in
my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the
principal sum at the end of each year. No one will
ever come forward to claim it. According to Nigerian
Law, at the expiration of 6 (six) years, the money
will revert to the ownership of the Nigerian
Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.
Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as
an Foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to Mr.
Barry Kelly so that the fruits of this old man’s labor
will not get into the hands of some corrupt government
officials. This is simple, I will like you to provide
immediately your full names and address so that the
Attorney will prepare the necessary documents and
affidavits, which will put you in place as the next of
kin. We shall employ the service of two Attorneys for
drafting and notarization of the WILL and to obtain
the necessary documents and letter of
probate/administration in your favor for the transfer.
A bank account in any part of the world, which you
will provide, will then facilitate the transfer of
this money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin. The
money will be paid into your account for us to share
in the ratio of 60% for me and 40% for you. There is
no risk at all as all the paperwork for this
transaction will be done by the Attorney and my
position as the Branch Manager guarantees the
successful execution of this transaction. If you are
interested, please reply immediately via the private
email address below. Upon your response, I shall then
provide you with more details and relevant documents
that will help you understand the transaction. Please
observe utmost confidentiality, and rest assured that
this transaction would be most profitable for both of
us because I shall require your assistance to invest
my share in your country. Awaiting your urgent reply
via my email:

Thanks and regards.

MR.UMARU SHEHU.

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