The Pitch
UNITED NATIONS/WORLD BANK COMPENSATION UNIT.
Our Ref: U.N/WBO/042SWISS/2010.
Attention:
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and family? You may not understand why this email came to you. We have been having a meeting for the passed 7 months which ended 2 days ago with the new secretary to the UNITED NATIONS (UN) Mr. Ban Ki-Moon.
This email is to all the people that have been scammed in any part of the world, the UNITED NATIONS in Affiliation with WORLD BANK have agreed to compensate them with the sum of USD $850,000 (Eight hundred and fifty thousand United State Dollars Only), This also includes every foreign contractors that may have not received their contract sum, and people that have had an unfinished transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government problems etc.
We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you, this has been agreed upon and has been signed.
You are advised to contact REV.OHA GOODLUCK OF CENTRAL BANK NIGERIA (C.B.N), as he is our representative in Nigeria, contact him immediately for your Payment of USD$850,000 (Eight hundred and fifty thousand United State Dollars Only) which you need the fund to be delivered. So he will send it to you and you can clear it in any bank of your choice.
Therefore, you are in obligation to send the following informations, Your Full Name, Sex, Age, Occupation,
Nationality, Tel/Fax number and your correct mailing address where you want to receive the fund.
Person to Contact: REV.OHA GOODLUCK
Email: (cc_cb@qatar.io)
Tel:+234-8167134572
I apologize on behalf of my organization for any delay you have encountered in receiving your fund in the
past.
Thanks and God bless you and your family. Hoping to hear from you as soon as you cash your Bank Draft.
Making the world a better place.
Regards,
Mr. Ban Ki-Moon
UN Secretary General
Grammar
Leaves a fair bit to be desired. According to this Mr Ki-Moon has been in a meeting for seven months. That's a hell of a lot of muffins. In the first part of the letter Mr Ki-Moon talks about himself in the third person, too.
Amount Offered
$850k USD. That's the least the UN could offer me for the inconvenience of, err, not getting other money I didn't do anything for.
Gullibility Rating
High, this is weak and poorly executed. You'd have to be a slug to fall for this one. Reverend Goodluck? Come on, now.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
You're a Good Person, Have Some Money #1
The Pitch
Our Ref: CFG/US/B005
Your Ref:
Dear Beneficiary,
Cargill which was founded in 1865 by W.W. Cargill, was conceived with the objective of Human Growth, Education and Community development. We are pleased to inform you that as part of our 2010 fiscal year promotion, Cargill is donating two hundred million dollars, towards the Cargill Foundation anniversary as specific cash aid to 100 international recipients worldwide in different categories for business, educational and personal development, and at least 30% to be used by each for the development of his/her community or assist those in need. For more details about our charitable donations please visit our website at http://www.cargill.com/corporate-responsibility/charitable-giving/index.jsp.
Cargill has contributed more than US $58 million to nonprofit and/or nongovernmental organizations, schools and local community organizations in locations where we have a business presence. Based on the random selection exercise from all databases and websites on the internet, you were selected among the recipients to receive the sum of USD 2,000,000.00 (Two Million US dollars) as cash aid. It is therefore my pleasure to officially inform you that you have been chosen By the Board of trustees of the Cargill Foundation, as one of the recipients for 2010 Charitable giving for your own personal, educational and business development.
You are required to contact your cash aid documentation officer with the below information, for documentation and processing.
Full Names:
Gender:
Date of birth:
Contact Address:
Country:
Phone number(s):
Occupation:
Company Name:
Marriage status:
Cash Aid payments are strictly administered by the respective/authorized payment offices of the Cargill Foundation in Asia. On behalf of the Cargill Foundation, board of trustees, kindly accept our warmest congratulations.
Yours faithfully,
Mr Jerry Awang
© 2010 Cargill, Incorporated.
http://www.cargill.com
Originality
It takes a little effort to go and find a company that has a vague humanitarian responsibility page, and then write a story that somehow implies that my mere existence is worth a massive cash reward from a company I've never heard of. That they found my name 'Based on the random selection exercise from all databases and websites on the internet' kind of undoes the setup of me being worthy of a reward for my ace humanitarian exploits. The use of vague reference numbers, © symbols, a list of details to provide and a real website is quite a nice bluff.
Grammar
A formal tone, nicely written, convincing.
Amount Offered
$2m. A nice round number and not stupidly large.
Gullibility Rating
A decent attempt, but the story is ultimately flawed. Am I a winner because I'm a nice person, or because I was selected at random? If I'm stupid, though, it probably doesn't matter at all.
Our Ref: CFG/US/B005
Your Ref:
Dear Beneficiary,
Cargill which was founded in 1865 by W.W. Cargill, was conceived with the objective of Human Growth, Education and Community development. We are pleased to inform you that as part of our 2010 fiscal year promotion, Cargill is donating two hundred million dollars, towards the Cargill Foundation anniversary as specific cash aid to 100 international recipients worldwide in different categories for business, educational and personal development, and at least 30% to be used by each for the development of his/her community or assist those in need. For more details about our charitable donations please visit our website at http://www.cargill.com/corporate-responsibility/charitable-giving/index.jsp.
Cargill has contributed more than US $58 million to nonprofit and/or nongovernmental organizations, schools and local community organizations in locations where we have a business presence. Based on the random selection exercise from all databases and websites on the internet, you were selected among the recipients to receive the sum of USD 2,000,000.00 (Two Million US dollars) as cash aid. It is therefore my pleasure to officially inform you that you have been chosen By the Board of trustees of the Cargill Foundation, as one of the recipients for 2010 Charitable giving for your own personal, educational and business development.
You are required to contact your cash aid documentation officer with the below information, for documentation and processing.
Full Names:
Gender:
Date of birth:
Contact Address:
Country:
Phone number(s):
Occupation:
Company Name:
Marriage status:
Cash Aid payments are strictly administered by the respective/authorized payment offices of the Cargill Foundation in Asia. On behalf of the Cargill Foundation, board of trustees, kindly accept our warmest congratulations.
Yours faithfully,
Mr Jerry Awang
© 2010 Cargill, Incorporated.
http://www.cargill.com
Originality
It takes a little effort to go and find a company that has a vague humanitarian responsibility page, and then write a story that somehow implies that my mere existence is worth a massive cash reward from a company I've never heard of. That they found my name 'Based on the random selection exercise from all databases and websites on the internet' kind of undoes the setup of me being worthy of a reward for my ace humanitarian exploits. The use of vague reference numbers, © symbols, a list of details to provide and a real website is quite a nice bluff.
Grammar
A formal tone, nicely written, convincing.
Amount Offered
$2m. A nice round number and not stupidly large.
Gullibility Rating
A decent attempt, but the story is ultimately flawed. Am I a winner because I'm a nice person, or because I was selected at random? If I'm stupid, though, it probably doesn't matter at all.
The Worst Bank in Ghana #1
The Pitch
My name is Favour Adom I am the regional manager of Standard chartered bank of Ghana Takoradi branch in the western region of Ghana . I got your information when I was searching for an oversea partner among other names. I write you this proposal in good faith, I am 48 years old married with four lovely kids. I am a devoted Christian and a man of peace.
I have packaged a financial transaction that will benefit you and me, as the regional manager of the Standard chartered bank it is my duty to send in a financial report to my head office in the capital city Accra at the end of each business year. On the course of the last year 2009 business report,I discovered that my branch in which I am the manager made four million five hundred and twenty thousand united state dollars ($4.520m)usd which my head office are not aware of and will never be aware of. I have placed this funds on what we call escrow call account with no beneficiary.As an officer of this bank I cannot be directly connected to this money,so my aim of contacting you is to assist me receive this money in your bank account and get 30% of the total funds as commission.
There are practically no risks involved, it will be a bank-to-bank transfer, and all I need from you is to stand claim as the original depositor of these funds who made the deposit with my branch so that my head office can order the transfer to your designated bank account.If you accept to work with me I will appreciate it very much Email me with the above email address so that we can go over the details and I will give you my full information`s.Remember there is no risk involved I promise.Please kindly fill the below and get back to me immediately for better understanding.
YOUR FULL NAME.......................
YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS........
YOUR TEL/MOBILE NUMBER.....
YOUR DIRECT EMAIL.........................
......
YOUR OCCUPATION................
AGE.............................................
NATIONALITY............................
Best regards,
Favour Adom.
Originality
There's a lovely story arc here. Adom Favour, a decent enough pornstar name , begins with the touching facts of his God-fearing, family-loving nature. So far so good. Finding the cash, however, brings out the opportunist, clearly. as usual he quickly skims over how he found my contact details then explains how easy, how little risk and how legit he is. I like the form that I need to fill out - it just feels so much more legal.
Grammar
Not bad at all, but work on breaking up the paragraphs - it will make it easier for the reader.
Amount Offered
$1.356m. Meh.
Gullibility Rating
The tone of this phish is quite good, there is some confidence in this writer.
My name is Favour Adom I am the regional manager of Standard chartered bank of Ghana Takoradi branch in the western region of Ghana . I got your information when I was searching for an oversea partner among other names. I write you this proposal in good faith, I am 48 years old married with four lovely kids. I am a devoted Christian and a man of peace.
I have packaged a financial transaction that will benefit you and me, as the regional manager of the Standard chartered bank it is my duty to send in a financial report to my head office in the capital city Accra at the end of each business year. On the course of the last year 2009 business report,I discovered that my branch in which I am the manager made four million five hundred and twenty thousand united state dollars ($4.520m)usd which my head office are not aware of and will never be aware of. I have placed this funds on what we call escrow call account with no beneficiary.As an officer of this bank I cannot be directly connected to this money,so my aim of contacting you is to assist me receive this money in your bank account and get 30% of the total funds as commission.
There are practically no risks involved, it will be a bank-to-bank transfer, and all I need from you is to stand claim as the original depositor of these funds who made the deposit with my branch so that my head office can order the transfer to your designated bank account.If you accept to work with me I will appreciate it very much Email me with the above email address so that we can go over the details and I will give you my full information`s.Remember there is no risk involved I promise.Please kindly fill the below and get back to me immediately for better understanding.
YOUR FULL NAME.......................
YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS........
YOUR TEL/MOBILE NUMBER.....
YOUR DIRECT EMAIL.........................
......
YOUR OCCUPATION................
AGE.............................................
NATIONALITY............................
Best regards,
Favour Adom.
Originality
There's a lovely story arc here. Adom Favour, a decent enough pornstar name , begins with the touching facts of his God-fearing, family-loving nature. So far so good. Finding the cash, however, brings out the opportunist, clearly. as usual he quickly skims over how he found my contact details then explains how easy, how little risk and how legit he is. I like the form that I need to fill out - it just feels so much more legal.
Grammar
Not bad at all, but work on breaking up the paragraphs - it will make it easier for the reader.
Amount Offered
$1.356m. Meh.
Gullibility Rating
The tone of this phish is quite good, there is some confidence in this writer.
I Found Saddam's Money #1
The Pitch
Dear Friend,
As you very well know, Iraq is gradually undergoing a rebuilding process in some parts and there is much need for reconstruction. I am Adam Spargo from the hospitality state (Mississippi), an army contractor attached to the US Military force for the sole purpose of Reconstruction works in some parts of Iraq. I evaluate the level of destruction and offer professional advice inline with the way they intend rebuilding. With no doubt, work has been risky and challenging as we sometimes collide head on with armed insurgents and loose some soldiers during confrontation.On the early hours of 4th July 2010 I lost a friend whom I had known for 12years during one of these confrontations.
It was a very sad day but at about 1100hrs during a normal inspection routine along Haifa Street, built and occupied by the late Saddam Hussein while he was still alive and one of the hide outs of the Al Qaeda and Ayman al-Zawahiri forces. I, along side with 2 soldiers proceeded to a marked site and as I commenced evaluation under close guard by the 2 soldiers, I discovered an unusual bulge in a cellar, which I presumed to be storage room and as I proceeded to have a closer look at it, I kicked a metal covering and found several metal boxes (6 in number) Piled on top each other and locked with a padlock. On forcing the boxes open, we discovered several armored weapons including bullets. One of the boxes was filled with hard drugs (heroine) and two to my amazement was filled with money,On discovery of this money, I and the soldiers for hours counted bundles of the currencies which amounted to about $23.5M.
I believe however that all these belongs to the Al Qaeda and Ayman al-Zawahiri forces, and because of this reason, I instructed the soldiers with me to handover all the boxes containing the drugs and amours to our superiors in the US army and agreed to keep the funds to ourselves, so as to help establish ourselves when we return from Iraq. Presently, we have the money hidden in a safe and untraceable location only known to us.
Why I am explaining all our findings to you is to seek for your assistance and immense contribution to the actualization of our dream of getting these funds out from here. We are in desperate need of a reliable and trustworthy person who will receive, secure and protect these boxes containing the money for us until our assignment ends here. Since Iraq is getting unsafe and more dangerous everyday especially upon the departure of large number of US Military troop, however, as contractors we are still here, but we cannot afford to leave these boxes here in Iraq for any reason and knowing fully well that these were funds used in sponsoring terrorist attacks on our innocent humans.
We have no idea what could happen next. This is a true story of what we came across here in Iraq. I intend to include some pictures I took here and my ID's issued by the US army and government for you to know better whom you are dealing with but I will include that in my next email to you. I assure and promise to give you 25% of this fund before sharing with the other 2 soldiers when we leave this place. Please assure me of your keeping this top most secret so that my job would not be jeopardized.
You will find more about this fund on the link below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
My Sincere Regards,
Adam Spargo.
USARMY, IRAQ
Originality
Some serious work has gone into this phish (I didn't know Mississippi is 'the hospitality state', it sounds lovely). The backstory is clearly explained, key characters are described and emotional heartstrings are plucked. The link to 'The Guardian' article describing the find is nice, but the article is from 2003 - you'll need to find something more recent, fellas.
Grammar
Some howlers but overall the English here is better than many native English speakers can produce.
Amount Offered
About $5.5 million, give or take. I don't get out of bed for less than $20m these days.
Gullibility Rating
I can see why someone with that potent combination of gullibility and greed could get sucked into this one.
Dear Friend,
As you very well know, Iraq is gradually undergoing a rebuilding process in some parts and there is much need for reconstruction. I am Adam Spargo from the hospitality state (Mississippi), an army contractor attached to the US Military force for the sole purpose of Reconstruction works in some parts of Iraq. I evaluate the level of destruction and offer professional advice inline with the way they intend rebuilding. With no doubt, work has been risky and challenging as we sometimes collide head on with armed insurgents and loose some soldiers during confrontation.On the early hours of 4th July 2010 I lost a friend whom I had known for 12years during one of these confrontations.
It was a very sad day but at about 1100hrs during a normal inspection routine along Haifa Street, built and occupied by the late Saddam Hussein while he was still alive and one of the hide outs of the Al Qaeda and Ayman al-Zawahiri forces. I, along side with 2 soldiers proceeded to a marked site and as I commenced evaluation under close guard by the 2 soldiers, I discovered an unusual bulge in a cellar, which I presumed to be storage room and as I proceeded to have a closer look at it, I kicked a metal covering and found several metal boxes (6 in number) Piled on top each other and locked with a padlock. On forcing the boxes open, we discovered several armored weapons including bullets. One of the boxes was filled with hard drugs (heroine) and two to my amazement was filled with money,On discovery of this money, I and the soldiers for hours counted bundles of the currencies which amounted to about $23.5M.
I believe however that all these belongs to the Al Qaeda and Ayman al-Zawahiri forces, and because of this reason, I instructed the soldiers with me to handover all the boxes containing the drugs and amours to our superiors in the US army and agreed to keep the funds to ourselves, so as to help establish ourselves when we return from Iraq. Presently, we have the money hidden in a safe and untraceable location only known to us.
Why I am explaining all our findings to you is to seek for your assistance and immense contribution to the actualization of our dream of getting these funds out from here. We are in desperate need of a reliable and trustworthy person who will receive, secure and protect these boxes containing the money for us until our assignment ends here. Since Iraq is getting unsafe and more dangerous everyday especially upon the departure of large number of US Military troop, however, as contractors we are still here, but we cannot afford to leave these boxes here in Iraq for any reason and knowing fully well that these were funds used in sponsoring terrorist attacks on our innocent humans.
We have no idea what could happen next. This is a true story of what we came across here in Iraq. I intend to include some pictures I took here and my ID's issued by the US army and government for you to know better whom you are dealing with but I will include that in my next email to you. I assure and promise to give you 25% of this fund before sharing with the other 2 soldiers when we leave this place. Please assure me of your keeping this top most secret so that my job would not be jeopardized.
You will find more about this fund on the link below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
My Sincere Regards,
Adam Spargo.
USARMY, IRAQ
Originality
Some serious work has gone into this phish (I didn't know Mississippi is 'the hospitality state', it sounds lovely). The backstory is clearly explained, key characters are described and emotional heartstrings are plucked. The link to 'The Guardian' article describing the find is nice, but the article is from 2003 - you'll need to find something more recent, fellas.
Grammar
Some howlers but overall the English here is better than many native English speakers can produce.
Amount Offered
About $5.5 million, give or take. I don't get out of bed for less than $20m these days.
Gullibility Rating
I can see why someone with that potent combination of gullibility and greed could get sucked into this one.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Lazy Phish #1
The Pitch
I contact you to assist in a deal value of $19. 8 milliom Dollar. There is no next of kin. Acceptance, I will need your full names, phone/fax number and residential address for further details and documentation.
Once the funds are transferred to your nominated account then we will share the proceeds in a ratio of 45% for me, 45% for you and 10% for the less privileged.
Hope to hear from you shortly for more details.
Kind regards,
Mr. Peter Anderson.
Originality
A weak effort for my first phish review, it's as if the phisher has woken up with a hangover and churned out the laziest effort possible. The signoff may as well be Mr. Arthur Arthurson of Arthurtown. 10% for the less privileged is a nice touch, though.
Amount Offered
$19.8 milliom. Hopefully that is a little more than $19.8 million.
Gullibility Rating
You'd have to be as lazy with your money as Mr. Anderson is with his imagination, and word count, to fall for this one.
I contact you to assist in a deal value of $19. 8 milliom Dollar. There is no next of kin. Acceptance, I will need your full names, phone/fax number and residential address for further details and documentation.
Once the funds are transferred to your nominated account then we will share the proceeds in a ratio of 45% for me, 45% for you and 10% for the less privileged.
Hope to hear from you shortly for more details.
Kind regards,
Mr. Peter Anderson.
Originality
A weak effort for my first phish review, it's as if the phisher has woken up with a hangover and churned out the laziest effort possible. The signoff may as well be Mr. Arthur Arthurson of Arthurtown. 10% for the less privileged is a nice touch, though.
Amount Offered
$19.8 milliom. Hopefully that is a little more than $19.8 million.
Gullibility Rating
You'd have to be as lazy with your money as Mr. Anderson is with his imagination, and word count, to fall for this one.
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