if you are one of the lucky souls who hasn't yet received one of these scam e-mails promising a share of millions in return for helping an unscrupulous foreign governmental type finish off some big ripoff, and you ever wondered how these e-mails read, look no further!
I provide, for your amusement, one of these scam e-mails. Whoever first came up with this scam is a bona fide genius - it preys on the public's growing awareness of the level of sleaze existing within governments the world over and at the same time the general level of greed being carefully cultivated in all of us. Enjoy!

Attn;president/ceo

RE: TRANSFER OF US$22,000,000 INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT

I am GEORGE DONALD, Telex/Money transfer Director of Nigeria apex Bank (Central
Bank Of Nigeria). Since my assumption of office on appointment by the present
Democratic Government, I have been able to ream the image of this Nation by
offsetting most overdue contract sums owed by the Federal Governmentof Nigeria
to foreign contractors in the past years. On the process of these payments, I
discovered through investigation that my predecessor attempted to move out the
above-mentioned sum outside Nigeria but was unable as he was removed out of
office unaware,Now, I have concluded all necessary arrangements for the smooth
transfer of the money to your account on trust. Contacting you on this issue
became imperative owing to recommendations through an acceptance of your good
integrity and trustworthiness as I came across in your particulars through a
Foreigner who describe as an honest man. The fund originated from the balance of
an over-invoiced sum of which the principal sum had been paid to foreign company
that executed the contract some years ago. This fund has been floating in a
suspense account with Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN)for a long period of time and
I as the Director of Telex/Money Transfer Department of CBN in the course of my
duty discoveredthis fund and decided to transfer it outside Nigeria through a
trustworthy partner whowill share the fundwith me on 30% to 70% basis.Therefore,
what is required from you is to forward in your confidential bank particulars
where this fundwill be transferred. As you will have 30% of the22million US
dollars after a successful transferintoyour account abroad, part of my 70% will
be usedon importation of valuable goods and purchasing ofcars through you in
Nigeria. Note: that thistransaction is risk free and will be concluded within14
working days and the money be remitted into youraccount. Please contact me on
this e-mailaddress:drgeorgedonald@yahoo.com Also send me yourtelephone/fax
numbers if you have. Also include your street address. Please if you are
interested in this proposal, as well as if not, do nothesitate tolet me know on
time.

Thanks in advance for a mutualand fruitful business association.

Truly yours
Dr.GEORGE DONALD

More info on 419 scams can be found here
Oh, and if you've been taken in by one of these and actually lost money, whilst i'm tempted to say "serves you goddamn right you greedy mofo, you actually thought criminals who'd managed to ripoff their country for millions of dollars would then just hand you a few million on a plate? and you were willing to help them!", there is probably at least one place you can go to for help. not that you're guaranteed in any way to retrieve any of the money you've lost.