Gunillocentrism – web diary of a freelance journalist

You have all heard of the infamous Nigeria letters: Nigerians (and others, mostly Africans, or at least people claiming they are writing from Nigeria, Angola, Congo etc) spamming people with e-mailed requests on helping them with money transfers. Usually the recipient is promised hundred thousands of dollars, if they only help out with a huge bank transfer from their account.

I just recieved a new version of a Nigeria letter!
I recently posted my Harlem apartment on Craig’s List, an electronic bulletin board for people in the USA who are looking for or offering housing. Quickly after the posting, I received this personal letter, see below, from a guy offering to be my new flat mate – if I only help out with a small bank transfer first… Does anyone really take these letters seriously? I guess so, since the business goes on and on and on and on.

/Gunilla

Hello
My name is Nikky James i am.30.yrs old,i am single with no kids,i
based in west africa(Nigeria},i will be coming to the state in few Weeks
time from now.Let me know how much it cost per month plus deposit.
I am interested in the Apt,but am presently in west africa {London} i may
be in the state 27th july,2005.I hope this is ok by you.i will be paying
for 2months for now
As regards payment,this is what i am going to do. I have a client in the
US who is owing me US$3500 i would instruct him to make out certified check
to you in that amount you can now deduct your money from it
and send me my balance, Although the value of the check is more than the
total price but i think i should be able to trust you with my balance.The
reason why i am doing this is that it would take a check sent from over here
in Africa 21days to clear over there,whereas a check sent from the! US
would clear tops within 48hrs.
.Please let me have your full contact address where the check will be
mailed out to.,also i will like to know the full name the check will be made
out to. so that i can instruct my client to make out the check to you.
Pls get back to me as soon as you get this mail so that we can round
things up in a timely fashion.you will email or fax me a copy of the reciept
after
payment as been recieved.i will send you a copy of my pics.
Thanks in this Regards
Nikky