Jami Waits For a Better Offer

Ah, spam, bane of the inbox. Awhile ago, and I'm too lazy at the moment to find it, I blogged about how I at least want my spam to be creative. Publishers Clearing House has had a few clever ones, including the one that provides you a script to read on camera when you win. So helpful. The Nigerian ones vary greatly, and appreciate the ones who have clearly put more effort into it. Last year I received one that offered me not only my share of$37million, but also the author's youngest brother as a spouse. Now that's quite a deal. The last several Nigerian style ones I've gotten (sometimes called 419 scams) have been for rather paltry amounts. $ 7 million, less your expenses? Bah, barely worth my time. $12 Million split between you and me, with $1 million for your lawyer? I don't think so. $6 million split three ways?? Why don't I just go dig pennies out of the sofa. It seemed the trend had been higher and higher numbers, but maybe they started to think that we can't be that stupid. Maybe a few mill sounds more likely? Also, I get a nice mix of the business variety and religious ones. The aforementioned $7 million one earlier today cleverly combined both, as a mission founded by a person "WITH YOUR SAME SURNAME" (which was never mentioned, interestingly) had somehow stumbled on this money and without the founder, who apparently recently passed away, they needed to get this money out of the country so the government wouldn't take all these important christian funds. I wonder, if these people put half this effort into writing fiction what fabulous stories we'd be treated to. Ah well. I do recommend this site which posts actual email exchanges, including pictures and sometimes phone calls, between the scammers and "scambaiters" who creatively mess with the criminals. Kids, don't try this at home.