Top 10 Spam Messages for 2002

[Jahya]

If you think you're seeing more unsolicited commercial e-mail, jokes, and chain letters, you're right, researchers say. According to experts, in 2002 spam grew to encompass an astonishing 30% to 50% of all e-mail sent.

DEFINITION: Spam is unsolicited e-mail. While senders tend to view spam as a form of bulk mail, consumers view it as simple junk e-mail. Spam is similar to unsolicited telephone marketing calls; however, recipients pay for part of the message, because everyone shares the cost of maintaining the Internet. By some estimates, the global cost of spam is $11 billion a year worldwide.

While perhaps not as big a threat as computer-borne viruses, spam is a daily productivity drain on corporate America. Here, according to anti-spam company Brightmail, are the 10 most frequently-sent spam messages of 2002:

Rank Subject Line
1 "Protect Your Computer Against Viruses for 9.95"
Description: Ironic! Anti-virus software ad
2 "Verification Department"
Description: Credit-card scam
3 "Refinancing? Get a FREE quote on any mortgage loan program"
Description: Mortgage spam, a classic
4 "Printer Cartridges -- Save up to 80% - Free Shipping Offer"
Description: Another classic, always a hit
5 "Miniature Remote Control Car. Great Gift!"
Description: This one was big during the holidays
6 "$100 FREE, Please Play Now!"
Description: Casino spam, a high-roller
7 "Online Auction Marketing Secrets!"
Description: Auction scams were big in 2002
8 "Important News Kuira"
Description: Septic system spam -- a real stinker
9 "URGENT & CONFIDENTIAL"
Description: Nigerian spam scam just won't die
10 "THOUSANDS OF XXX SITES!"
Description: Porn, an eternal favorite

© National Security Institute, Inc.

 

[Perris Calderon]

just got this;


I hope this message will reach you in the best of
health and receive your prompt attention, even as we
have not had any previous correspondence before.
Kindly reach me immediately for details should you agree to
its contents.
I am a principal accountant and the Chairman of the
Federal Tenders Board Committee to the FederalAirport
Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). This message is
to solicit for your kindness in assisting me to transfer some amount of fund
from my country to your country.

The total amount of fund is US$29.5Million
(twenty nine million, five hundred thousand United
States Dollars)which resulted from various contracts
awarded by my ministry to some foreign firms in which
the contract bills were slightly inflated by us
members of the Tenders Board Committee with the sole
aim of having the excess fund for our subsequent use.
Presently, all the foreign firms that executed the
projects concerned have been paid their bills
accordingly and the projects have been commissioned
for use.

At this juncture, we now want to claim and
transfer the excess fund using a foreign companysince
foreign contractors originally executed the contracts.
Also, we as civil servants are not allowed to operate
domiciliary nor foreign account, therefore, we cannot
claim this fund locally, hence the necessity for this contact
with you.

We have decided to embark on this transaction nowthat
we have new civilian administration. Our aim is to
present your name as a true beneficiary of the fund.

The total fund (US$29.5M) will then be remitted into
any designated bank account as shall be recommended by
you. The relevant authorities will be made to believe
that your company executed some contracts for my
ministry to which payment is due to effected.
In this regard therefore, you will be required to
present a suitable bank account that will accommodate
the total amount of fund. The moment the bank account
details are received from you, it will only take a
maximum duration of 7-9working days to have all
documentations complied and the fund remitted to your account.

On completion of this transaction, we have resolvedto
give you 25% of the fund for your efforts and
assistance rendered; 5% will be used to settle any
expenses that might be incurred on the process ofthis
transaction both from our end and your end while the
remaining 70% will be for us. I will be disposed to
giving the details of this proposal as soon as I
receive your confirmation signifying your interest in
this proposal and your willingness to assist in its
realization.

Kindly reach me through the above email
address or Telephone number for more details on
how we shall commence the whole transaction.
Permit me to stress the confidential nature of this
transaction and does not matter any particular field
of trade to prosecute this transaction. Above all,let
trust and honesty be our watchword throughout this business.

Many thanks and kind regards whilst I wait in anticipation for
your assistance and may God continueto bless you.

Yours faithfully,
Dr. Willie Lansana.

 

[rettahc]

Those Nigerians preying on the greedy and stupid.
I suprised that they are still trying their scams I guess some people are still falling for it.

 

[Perris Calderon]

sending viagra to me is wpild be like sending salt to the black sea`

 

[Burpster]

the black sea already has alot of salt ...are you saying you already have alot of Viagra??

 

[Perris Calderon]

Originally posted by Burpster
the black sea already has alot of salt ...are you saying you already have alot of Viagra??

very good!!!!

actually, the true analogy goes ;

the black see doesn't need any salt

I'm saying I don't need any viagra

but your take is excellant...put me in my place

 

[Tabula Rasa]

I hope you meant to say "the dead sea"....
black sea isn't that salty.