OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

Are people realy dumb enough to fall for a scam as stupid and transparent as this?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The dumb arses who sent this must realy have a low opinion of us to think that any one would ever fall for this. My God how dumb do you have to be to be taken by something as stupid as this?

The idiots mailed if from HOTMAIL so abuse@hotmail.com just recieved this once in a life time oppurtunity. I wonder if the guys at Microsoft will fall for it?

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

This is one of (or maybe the?) leading industries of one or more African nations - churning out scam emails to gullible westerners. No joke. Yes, people are that stupid.

PvK

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

You've got to be ****ting me, people are that stupid? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

For Gods sake, how is that possible?

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

Yep. I once did a bit of research on it and there are people who have gone through with it and handed over large sums of money and then left to meet the person and ended up dead.

Scams like this one are actually quite common and can potentially draw in quite abit of money for the perpetrators.

So... yes. People are that stupid.

I myself recieved such an E-mail a few years back before it was really known as a big scam and even then I thought... How stupid do these guys think I am? (It was the princess of African nation one I believe)

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

Do a search at Google
+hoax +scam +Nigerian

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

I read somewhere recently that Interpol estimated that on any given day there are 4 people somewhere in the world waiting in a hotel lobby for a guy from Nigeria... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

Yes, sadly, some people do lose a lot of money on this sort of scam. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

You would be surprised how often police warn about these "Nigerian letters" or "Nigerian mails" in TV in Finland. For some reason, some people either do not watch TV, discuss their intentions with anyone, or simply think that it must be their chance of life...

yes, as civiliced we think of ourselves, there is always some idiots amogn us http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

From my favorite source on these matters, snopes.com...

Nigerian Scam

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

I recall seeing a news story a few month ago about some secretary who used her access to the business accounts, yes, boss's money, to answer one of these scams. Guess she thought she'd be patted on the back for making them some money? Sent more than 2 million dollars off into the ether. Oops...

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

A story of a tech journalist yanking their chain.
What happens when you do reply:
http://www.silicon.com/news/500019/1/2928.html

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">If there were any chance you could find where that quote came from... well... it would be real keen.

I would almost pay petty amounts of money to hear a major U.S. news anchor say exactly that.

As for people being dumb, I suppose there have always been con men. The internet, and mass mailing, just gives them a new way to find a ripe mark. "Three Card Monte", "Selling the Brooklyn Bridge", "Florida Real Estate", and now this. Just a long procession.

But a mass mailed scam as fantastic as this is pretty low...

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

My boss got this same mail about 3 months ago. It's letter format with a hand writing signature in a envelope with beautiful South Africa stamps.

Then my boss show it to us and say "who will that stupid enough ....?!" he post it on message board and make everyone LOL.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well I miss quoted it a little - I was quoting from memory. But here is the actual paragraph:

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">And here is the URL:

http://www.derekwyattmp.co.uk/nation...-01-03_st.html

Kinda' scary there are so many people without a lot 'on the ball'. We should be telling them something like: "Don't go upstairs without a flashlight!" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes. Definitely yes. I don't even know what your post asks, but the answer to this question is pretty much always yes. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Whoo-hoo!

Thanks, that's great!

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes. Definitely yes. I don't even know what your post asks, but the answer to this question is pretty much always yes. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">LOL!
I was just talking to a friend through AIM about this topic and told him that as soon as I saw the heading I thought: Yes. The actual thing being questioned is irrelevant. The answer is always Yes.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

Geee... I thought I was special to have gotten this Email http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif I am however NOT that dumb! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif and proceded to hit the DELETE key http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

SO TAKE THAT!

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

I got those Nigerian scams almost weekly a year ago. If I remember right they all were different but had the same kind of situation. I would have a really good collection if I hadn't deleted them all.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Indeed how foolish. [INSERT]Shaking head[/INSERT]

A sucker is born every day.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Actually:

Men are born ignorant, not stupid; they are made stupid by education.
- Bertrand Russell

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[ April 26, 2003, 14:29: Message edited by: Me Loonn ]

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

If I hang out in a London hotel wearing Nigerian style clothing will some stranger come up and hand me their life savings? Hmmmmm. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

You guys have it some what wrong. It’s greed that makes this work. And it is the greedy victims who should shoulder the blame. These greedy bastards run off the meet some Nigerian
because the think they can make some money with little effort on their part. Well, most of them get the return that they deserve. Most of them are too lazy to make a few inquiries into the
bonifidies of their new business partners. Personally, I think that they need their signs tattooedto their foreheads.

[ April 26, 2003, 15:51: Message edited by: Thermodyne ]

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

thermo, im glad you have such high opinions on humanity but the answer is, as they said, ALWAYS <u>YES</u>. Greed, agreed, but i also want to get that money, do i run out to the hotel?

Nope Thermo, you understimate the human race. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ April 26, 2003, 21:32: Message edited by: Taera ]

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">There is no such thing as an underestimate of average intelligence.
- Henry Adams

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">My friend, you must be young or unexposed. In my life’s experience, which included some time in the third world and a few moments behind the old iron curtain, I have found that the human ability to be stupid is exceeded only by it’s ability to believe as fact that which is unsupported by
evidence.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The question is what do you trust more: your luck or statistics. A lot of people trust their luck much more. That is why casinos and sport betting companies are for.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

thermodyne, i am young. and i know how powerful is the greed drive. but i have my, if limited, experience to judge by. i am not a foolish youngling.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

ack i wont be getting into this discussion too deep... it all depends where and how you lived and your view on the world. im not that bad inclined towards humanity, i just... enough.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

A similar scam went around Australia at the start of the year. The few people who fell for it, mostly High-Profile Solicitors, CEOs & Professionals, were taken on a free holiday to Spain, including flights and hotels, and were taken to the Bank were the assassinated Nigerian President laundered his US$16 Billion dollars.
Unfortunately this bank was now in receivership and the Son of the Nigerian President needed money and legal assistance to re-open the bank before he could get the money...
The Australian Police claimed they caught the people causing this scam, but their Crime Figures are a scam in its own right...

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

This was sent out by our securty team this morning. It includes where to send the notices you do get:
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Geee I cleaned out my Deleted mail...had at least 3

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

I think the only way to really stop these people from taking advantage of our dumb is to find out who they are and go over there and give them an educational beating. You know what I am talking about, you take a good old wooden bat and break it over their heads. You do that a few times to make an example and the rest will think twice.

Or we can do it like the bleading heart liberals would like us too, we contact them and send them a nice little message saying that we will pass a law that says they cannot send any more Messages.

Which of these two choice do you think they will listen to?

Yup, time to buy a bat!

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

And while I was typing my Last message I recieved this:

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">What do you all say we all get fake email addresses and have some fun with Mr. Chudi Odili?

I can pretend to be a widowed old lady with a billion dollars and no common sense. I will send them fake checks and such. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

You really have to wonder with all of the press that has been given to these scams why the dumb f***s that send them haven't cought on? I mean are thay that dumb that they would dare think that there are any people in the US who have not heard about these scams? What kind of dumb, back water, dirt floor, bare foot, buck toothed, mono-brow, bug eating, sheep loving, Nigerian dumb ****s are these people? There has got to be someone over there with brains.

Or do we really still have ultra dumb people here that are so blinded by greed that they refuse to see that this is a scam? I think a little of both so I have ammended my previous post to include thinning the heard here at home as well.

IF YOU ARE DUMB ENOUGH TO FALL FOR THIS SCAM, OR ANY SCAM LIKE IT, YOU ARE A FOOL AND YOU DESERVED IT! DO NOT BREED!

[ July 03, 2003, 14:06: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

Atrocities:
While a clue-by-four over the head helps, their typing fingers are also an effective target and have a much reduced incidence of side effects such as amnesia.

There is also always the good old fashioned kneecap bustin' to send the message, and quite a number of hired goons specialize in such services.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

You are so right SJ. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif Then again there is always the silenced 22 to the back of the head. But that would be taking things to the extreme.

Oh the satisfaction one would get from the lushous sound of a bat hitting a scam artists head. Ohhhhhhhh yaaaa baby.

[ July 03, 2003, 14:05: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

While I’m not one to encourage violence lets see:
First run a reverse sting. A few people have been able to get small sums from them.
Then hack their computers and get the money back.
Then using the clue by 4
Start with the knee caps
Proceed to the fingers one at a time for that nice snapping sound and the ensuing scream
Next the reproductive systems so they don’t generate any more of their kind
Then the back of the head for that soft satisfying crunching sound.
Then send in an international team of special forces to do clean up.

Peace

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

Why all the anger all of a sudden ? What have these guys ever done to you, other than provide a few laughs ?

Rest assured that they are making a profit from their operation, otherwise they would have moved on to something else long ago.

I also got one of these emails from Hong Kong, BTW.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Unfortunately true. Some people are falling for this and are keeping them in business.

But hey, many of us fall for the lotteries. Most only pay out 50% or less of what they take in.

If you look at the fact that on average we will only win 50 cents of each dollar we put in, some of us may think twice about buying another ticket.

But the big win is alluring and the fact that most lottery players get only a couple percent return on their investment does not stop them from playing.

Similiarly, the big win is the allure in this scam. The fact that a persons chance of winning is virtually zero is not much different from the lottery where the odds are more than a million to one.

It is arguable that the difference is only one of degree. Or the fact that one is legal and the other isn't.

But it still comes down to the fact that in both cases, the huge majority of "players" do not come out winners in the long run.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

I personally have very little sympathy for someone who falls for such a scam. Supposing they were true - every single one of them - they would still be illegal. All of the scam letters make it clear that this is some sort of 'dirty money' that they want to share with you.

My Hong Kong letter was milder - it referred to a person who died in a plane crash, leaving a huge bank account and no heirs. But it's still illegal, they wanted me to pose as a relative of the deceased to get at the money.

Making the deal illegal - and making sure the target knows it's illegal, from day one - is important because the target will be less likely to talk about it, and therefore less likely to find out it's a scam.

Which brings us back to my first point. Anyone who falls for this is knowingly entering an illegal transaction, and deserves to learn an expensive lesson.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I was reading a while back on a web site that was about "what to do if you get this email" that the people who run this scam actually end up getting prominent positions in that country's government.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

I am currently involved in 4 such ventures as the one listed here.

As I am well known and wanted by most western governments I need to keep this under the raps.

Do you know Dr. Konagagi of South Africa. He is willing to offer his assistance. What I need to do is get your bank info so I may pass it on to Dr. Konagagi. In return I will give you information about a bank in South Africa. I can help both of you out. In return I ask for a small fee of 25%. This is secured personally by myself and the organization that I am currently a member of. Natually of course you may not ask what this organization is.

But I do suggest that you are promt in all actions that are required. As we will surely do the same for you and your family.

Take Care.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Oh yes indeed, there are ultra dumb (or simply gullible and inexperienced) people all over. The Nigerians have found an industry that is very profitable from their situation, compared to their other industries. Part of this is due to the extreme currency exchange rates and other economic imbalances. Faced between manual farming a desert for one dollar a day, or sending spam for five dollars a day, some choose this dark life of crime, while the ring-leaders might make as much as a McDonalds manager, any signifigant earnings probably going off to pay off the local warlord/governor (just making up the details, but the real details I've seen from so-called "third world" ecominies have been just as amazing).

PvK

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

Erax,
I don't' know why I'm angry but since anger is an emotion I'm not really surprised.
I'm guessing it has to do with:
From what I hear they don't just get some of the persons money. They clean them out. This hurts a lot of inocent people like their familys. More than one retierment account has been emptied.
Some of the people dumb enough to fall for this are also too dumb to understand the illeagle aspect of it.
A few have been caught. I expect most are un touchable.
I sence a level of injustice that brings out
Gryphin Rampant
So, yes, I'm angry. Is it "Rational"? Your call.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

Gryphin, no one has to be rational all the time. But if you want to do something about it then warn people. Not people like us, we're likely to know about it already, but people who look like they might fall for it.

My boss, for example. He took me aside one day and showed me one of those emails, with a really worried expression. I told him how the scam worked and suggested we warn the rest of our staff.

Warning the people around you will materially hurt those guys over there. Now that would be satisfying to me (if I wanted to hurt them).

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

Erax that is an excellent idea.
Oh, and something I have done. That same post went out to my "Humor" list but as a serious note.
So, most likely it will be read by the 36 people on my list and well, it snowballs out from there. Wonder if I will get it back some day. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ July 03, 2003, 22:17: Message edited by: Gryphin ]

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

Be sure to do it offline too. People who spend a lot of time Online are usually wise to this sort of thing already.

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

No matter how dumb you are, you can rest assured there is always someone dumber.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Re: OT: Are People Really Dumb Enough?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Oh yes indeed, there are ultra dumb (or simply gullible and inexperienced) people all over. The Nigerians have found an industry that is very profitable from their situation, compared to their other industries. Part of this is due to the extreme currency exchange rates and other economic imbalances. Faced between manual farming a desert for one dollar a day, or sending spam for five dollars a day, some choose this dark life of crime, while the ring-leaders might make as much as a McDonalds manager, any signifigant earnings probably going off to pay off the local warlord/governor (just making up the details, but the real details I've seen from so-called "third world" ecominies have been just as amazing).

PvK</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Times are tough all over the world, and my life is no exception, yet I don't send scam emails for a living and I live on the equivalent $1.00 a day income that those bastards live on. If you break down the economic cost of living where every you live you have poeple like me living on nothing. Povirty is no excuse to rob people.