I got another one of those Nigerian scam emails this week. This one is fascinating. Apparently one of my relatives living in Nigeria, a man by the name of Allan Hecht was killed in car crash (I didn't know I had family in Africa!!!).

Mr. Hecht left a sizeable fortune, over 10 million bucks and his scrupulous lawyer, incongruously named Mr. Abba Naaabba, esq., has scoured the world to contact me about my share of the inheritance.

From: "abba naabba"
To: abbanaabba@hotmail.com
Subject: HELLO
Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2003 19:32:28 +0100

Dear Hecht,

I am Barrister Abba Naabba, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Mr Allan Hecht,a national of United States,who used to work with Shell Development Company in Nigeria. Hereinafter shall be referred to as my client.

On the 21st of Oct 1999, my client, his wife and their two Children were involved in acar accident along sagamu express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to the embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided tolook for somebody reliable to receive this fund hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist in claiming the money and propertyleft behind by my client before the bank confiscates or declare the fund unserviceable. Until his death,he has,and maintained a US Dollar currency deposit account with a closing balance of USD 11,403,994.50 with a Security Company, The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company have written to recover all such dormant and unclaimed accounts to reinvest it with other Fund through the capital market, but we have cleverly informed them that a member of his family as next of kin has shown interest to claim the deposited amount.

It is for the urgency of this claim that I write toyou to stand and receive the money as Mr. Allan's next of kin since I have been an unsuccessful attempt in locating the relatives for over 2 years now.I seek your consent to present youas the next of kin of the deceased since I can perfectly procure allthe vital documents that would aid the transfer into any account of my choice abroad.

I am prepared to disburse the money among ourselves in following ratio:

Beneficiary/next of kin 30% plus 10% for Bank and legalexpenses while my colleagues and I in the chamber shall have 60%.

If this proposal is acceptableby you and you do not want to take undue advantage of the trust we intend to bestow on you and your company, then kindly respond immediately through my private e-mail: abbanaabba@yahoo.com,furnishing me with your confidential telephone and fax, e-mail address, and I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.

As soon as I receive the aforesaid I shall furnish youwith the text of theapplication that would be sent to the finance company for fund clearance.

All I require is your honesty and cooperation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Best Regards,

ABBA NAABBA (ESQ

I wrote back immediately:

Dude, I am so, like, all over that. It sounds like the
answer to all my problems. Whao!. Let me know what I
have to do to recover that fundage.

peace out,

Hecht

I can't believe that I received a response to this letter (it came this morning). I wonder how far I should push it. I think I'm going to tell him that I live in Samoa, but don't have a phone or a fax machine and see if I can get him to come here.

I also suppose I should be indignant about Mr. Naaba's 60% fees, but then again, this is all a big joke.

From: "abba naabba" To: hechtic1@yahoo.com
Subject: thank's /detailed information!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2003 16:53:47 +0100 Dear Andrew Hecht,

This is to acknowledge the receipt of your mail and to also express my profound gratitude for your acceptance to work with me and I want to assure you that at the end of this transaction, you will forever be happy that you are involved as it will bring about a mutual financial long lasting relationship between us and our
families and business to the fourth generation.

As the Next Of Kin of my late client Allan Hecht, you are absolutely entitled to know the details of the transaction so as to avoid mistakes. And it is quite simple and easy. The late Allan Hecht, my client, died in an auto accident in company of his wife and children in one of his official assignments. In view of the fact that I am his personal attorney and in charge of his estates, I am in the know of all his belongings and so I have been searching for anyone that will come up to claim relationship with him so that I can present him to the FINANCE COMPANY, where he has the sum of US$11,403,994.50 left in his account.

Now the bank contacted me forthnight(2 weeks) ago to provide the Next Of Kin of my late client within twenty-one days otherwise the money would be confiscated through the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation in line with the Federal Government Financial Edict. It is however on this premise that I write to inform you so that you and I can work together and have this money transfered into your account for our private use instead of the government returning the fund into their treasury as unclaimed fund.

It would interest you to note that this transaction is a 100% risk free, besides I am a human right activist also a lawyer by proffession based in Nigeria. Be assured that the transaction does not have any legal implication on both parties. If it were to be I would not have involved myself given my profession. So all it entails you to do is to act as the next of kin to Mr.Allan Hecht This will take pla ce because I will write an application to the bank presenting you as Mr. Allan's next of kin.

If you are ready and interested to work with me sincerely and honestly, advise you to send me your telephone and fax numbers. As soon as I receive it, i shall send an application to the bank on your behalf as the next Of Kin to my late client with some vital documents of my late client. I as the attorney to Mr.Allan Hecht will invariably and inevitably become your attorney and will take care of any legality that comes out should there be any.

My dear, it is my expectation and believe that with this you will be absolutely satisfied and assured that you are on safe ground. Should you not be convinced, feel free to ask me any question that bothers you, but as for me, I am quite sure that we are going to work out together to your satisfaction.

I advise you to call me through my number 234 -1-474-1602 (24 hrs). Also, do please give me your telephone and fax number for I know it is the best means of the bank getting across to you. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation and assistance while unequivocally assuring you of my genuineness. I await your immediate response and hoping for a good success.

Best regards,

Abba Naabba.