Here's an interesting one where they tell you the 'funds' are already out of the problem country (Belarus here)and that you assisted them. They want to pay you for your {imaginary} efforts but in order to get the {imaginary} cheque, you have to pay a small insurance fee and contact the insurance company. The phone number is Nigerian, the email Romanian and he is supposed to be in Saotome & Principe. Avoid.

I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds
transferred under the co-operation of a new partner from Belarus.
Presently I'm in Saotome & Principe for investment projects with my
own share of the total sum.

It may interest you to note that I didn't forget your past efforts
and attempts to assist me in transferring the funds though you were
not able to see it through for whatever reasons. After due
consideration, I have decided to compensate you for your efforts.

I have issued a Check of $750,000.00(Seven Hundred and Fifty
Thousand United States Dollars) for you and had to drop it with
Pegasus Delivery Service in Nigeria and you are to contact
them with the following information as stated below for
re-affirmation and to ensure a safe delivery.

Full Name: .................................
Address: .....................................
Phone Number: ........................

Note that the shipment fee and the insurance of the check has been
paid by me and the only fee you will be required to pay is $240.00
(Two Hundres and Fourty Dollars) being the security charges for
duration the check has been in their possession. I would have made
the payment but I do not know when you will get in touch with them as
the charges increases with the amount of days they secure it.
Endeavour you contact them immediately before the security charge
increases with days.

You are to contact them through the information as stated below
and note that the only fee you are to pay is the Security Charges
as every other stable fees has been paid.

Pegasus Delivery Services.
EMAIL:
Tel:
I'm very busy here because of the investment projects which I
and my partner are involved in. Note that I have instructed
Pegasus Delivery on your behalf to this effect. Get in touch with them
and they will ensure you get the check.

Thanks once again for all your effort during the course of the
transfer.

Sincerely

Jacques Olusola Esq.

Tsunami

Here's one using the Tsunami. The subject was Wikipedia as if quoting wikipedia makes an email more legit.

GREETINGS
I am Jim Leon. , an attorney at law. A deceased client of mine, that shares the same last name as yours, who here in after shall be referred to as my client, died as the result of a heart-related condition on March 12th 2005. His heart condition was due to the death of all the members of his family in the tsunami disaster on the 26th December 2004 in
Sumatra Indonesia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake
I can be reached on (@yahoo.com.hk) for details.
My late Client has a deposit of Eighteen Million Dollars ( US$18 Million) left behind.
Best regards,
Jim Leon.
Attorney at Law

This is a quite a good one. Many people travel and connect warily to their bank while away. I admire the touch of the 'do not reply to this email.' The web address however is nothing to do with Lloyds. Ignore and delete.

"Dear

We recently noticed one or more attempts to log in to your Lloyds Internet Banking account from a different IP address.
If you recently accessed your account while traveling, the unusual log in
attempts may have been initiated by you. However, if you did not initiate
the log ins, please visit Lloyds Online as soon as possible to check-up your
account information:

Thanks for your patience.
Sincerely,
Lloyds Centre.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Please do not reply to this e-mail. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered."

Scams on facebook/bebo etc

I have a rarely used facebook and bebo and others entries. I sometimes get emails like this below. I don't know exactly what the scam is. (sexual?) but who would write to a complete stranger of indeterminate sex like this?

"Hello,
it give me a great pleassure to write you after viewing your profile which really interest me to have communication with you if you will have the desire with me so that we can get to know each other and see what happened in future.
i will be very happy if you can write me through my email for easiest communication.
my email is @yahoo.com
i will be waiting to hear from you.
have a blessed day.
helen"

Rather clever from 'Halifax' bank

It virtually cut and paste from a real screen. So why go to all that trouble and spell the subject wrong? And I don't think any UK bank would use the adverb 'kindly.'
Also check out bad grammar and the 'May 2008' reference.

Subject: * IMPORTANT * Your Online Banking Has Been Temproary Locked

Dear Customer We're making improvements to the online service to make your online banking experience even better!

Due to the ongoing improvements, we kindly ask you to update your online banking details by clicking this link (the dodgy link) to start updating your accont.
Click the 'link' below CLICK HERE TO UPDATE YOUR ACCOUNT .
Enter your present username .
Enter your present password that which presently you are using to access your online service.
Fill in your present security question and click 'sign in' to continue.
Make Sure all Details you are filling are your present details which you are using to access your online banking.
Once you've set up your security details, you should also fill the other required informations which is on the next page and you will be able to use the service straight away.
If you've forgotten your username or lost your password, you can easily reset them by clicking on the 'Forgotten your sign in details or is your access suspended?' link on the sign in page. If you need further help, you can call our helpdesk any time day or night on 08456 02 00 00 and one of our advisers will be happy to assist you.
Best wishes
Mark Banks
Head of Online

Calls from BT landlines will cost a maximum of 4p per minute. The price of calls from other telephone companies will vary. The call price is correct at May 2008.

another possible scam

This sounds like a scam to me. No mention of the area. And we don't have standard single rooms. Otherwise, it's a good effort.

Head Office:
Flat 2-1, 35,
Polwarth Street,
Glasgow,G129UE,
Scotland.
United Kingdom.
Hello,
Could you please confirm availability and total cost
for the dates stated below for 3 guests from the
Scotland, UK. I am Jim Smith of the Smith Tours
Ltd, Flat 2-1, 35 Polwarth Street, Glasgow, G129UE
Scotland, United Kingdom.
Arrival Date: 11th March, 2008
Departure Date: 24th March, 2008
Room Type: Standard single Room
Number Of Rooms: 3
Length of Stay: 2 weeks
Please advise availabilty.Moreover, what is the TOTAL
COST in EURO or USD for the entire period? and the
total cost however should reflect government taxes. As
our policy, my agency will make a deposit for this
booking via certified cheque, once availability and
total cost is confirmed. Is this ok? Your prompt
response will be appreciated and hoping that we could
partner in the hospitality business.
Sincerely yours,

Jim Smith.

possible scams

SCAM. The apartment isn't in the US.

Customer Name: curtis benneth

Customer Telephone: +44 phonenumner

Customer Email Address: cbn00100@wellknownmailserver.com

Date Of Arrival: 1st of march

Length of stay: 1 month

Number in Party: 3

Enquiry: hello there

my name is curtis benneth,i my wife and our little boy would like to rent your apartment for a full month.from the 1st of march til 30th or 31st,its going to be my second time visiting the states but the first for my wife and kid,we live in

the uk ,manchester to be precise.so pls kindly let us know if it will be available for the said period, the company i work for is responsible for expenses based on vacation rentals,as i am on a 2 months leave from work,pls send to me the sum of the total charges and ill get them to pay you A.S.A.P.so it would be secured for us.

hope to hear from you soon.

GOOD DAY

Practically no risk involved in this scam from Ghana for a change.

Dear Sir/ Madam

Pardon my approach without a prior consent.
My name is Mr. Thompson Dankwa, Manager with SG-SSB Bank of Ghana; I have packaged a financial transaction that will benefit both of us.

I have US$2.5Million (Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) I will like to invest in your country in a profitable venture and real estates. This money is in an account declared dormant. As a banker I have worked out all strategies to have this money transferred successfully to a safe overseas account.

So in my quest to locate a reliable person/company to assist me overseas, hence I contacted you. According to Laws of Republic of Ghana, at the expiration of 5(five) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Ghana Government if nobody applies to claim the fund. Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you to stand in and as the next of kin to the depositor. As an officer of the bank, I will use my position to smooth all transaction until the money is successfully accredited in your account.

I intend to part with 60/40 , 60% for me and 40% for you . I do need to reassure you that there is practically no risk involved; it’s going to be a bank-to-bank transfer. I shall provide all relevant depository documents, which might be required by the Bank. please you can reach me on this email addresses: thompsondankwa_2008@welknown mailserver

Looking forward to hearing from you, thank you and God bless.

Best Regards,
Thompson Dankwa
REGIONAL MNG.
SG-SSB BANK LTD