Nigerians have a bad rep in the world which may have begun with the four-one-nine scams. The 419 is an advance -fee fraud (see example below). This type of internet fraud appears to have originated in Nigeria but is now omnipresent. The Nigerians who make lots of money from internet scams are sometimes called Yahoo Millionaires or Yahoo Boys.
Of course, the 419 is not Nigeria's only public relation problem. It is common for Nigerians to be portrayed poorly. For example, Nigerians are portrayed as scammers in Sony's PS3 commercial.
In the movie District 9, they are portrayed as an evil, gun-wielding gang, cheating and killing the downtrodden Aliens-who only want to eat cat food and return to their planet. This is a great movie about man's inhumanity to man (or alien). Of course, it is banned in Nigeria!
Of course, the 419 is not Nigeria's only public relation problem. It is common for Nigerians to be portrayed poorly. For example, Nigerians are portrayed as scammers in Sony's PS3 commercial.
In the movie District 9, they are portrayed as an evil, gun-wielding gang, cheating and killing the downtrodden Aliens-who only want to eat cat food and return to their planet. This is a great movie about man's inhumanity to man (or alien). Of course, it is banned in Nigeria!
Most of these stereotypes are quite funny if people can just 'get over it". And remember what W. C. Fields said. "Never give a sucker an even break".
Please My Dear I Need Your Help.
I know you will be surprise to receive this email, but Before I go further I will like you to understand that, I am writing this mail to you With due respect trust and humanity, I appeal to you to exercise a little patience and read through my letter I feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business, honestly i am writing this email to you with pains, tears and sorrow from my heart, i will really like to have a good relationship with you and i have a special reason why i decided to contact you, i decided to contact you due to the urgency of my present situation here in the refugee camp. My name is Miss. Mary Kipkalya Kones, 25yrs old female and I from Kenya here in Africa; my father was the former Kenyan road Minister. He and Assistant Minister of Home Affairs Lorna Laboso had been on board the Cessna 210, which was headed to Kericho and crashed in a remote area called Kajong'a, in western Kenya. The plane crashed on Tuesday 10th, June, 2008.
After the burial of my beloved father, my stepmother and uncle conspired and sold all my father's properties to an Italian Expertrate which they shared the money they sold from the properties among themselves and live nothing for me. Unfortunately to me I fined my father's briefcase and when I opened it I found a document which my Father used to deposited amount of money in one bank here in Burkina Faso, with my name as the next of kin. I travelled to Burkina Faso here I am, to withdraw the money for a better life so that I can take care of myself and start up a new life and also further my education, when I arrival to the bank, the Bank foreign Operation Department Director whom I meet in person told me that my father instruction to their bank is that the fund would only be release to me when I am married or present a trustee/partner who will help me and invest the fund overseas after the transfer, and the bank ask me to go and look for a foreign partner, that was why am contacting you, which I believe that you are going to be honest and reliable person that will help me and stand as my trustee/partner, so that I can present you to the Bank for the release and transfer of the inherited fund into your bank account in your country.
I have chosen to contact you after my prayers and I believe that you will not betray my trust. But rather take me as your own sister. Though you may wonder why I am so soon revealing myself to you without knowing you, well I will say that my mind convinced me that you will be the true person to help me. Moreover, I will like to disclose much to you if you can help me to relocate to your country because my stepmothers have threatened to assinate me. The fund my Father deposited into the bank, is ($8.5 USD) Million United State Dollars, and I have confirmed from the bank here in Burkina Faso, on my arrival, You will also help me to place the fund in a good profitable business venture in your Country, However you will also help by recommending a nice University in your country so that I can further my education. It is my intention to compensate you with 40% of the total money for your services and the balance shall be my capital in your establishment. Now my dear as soon as I receive your positive response showing your interest and wiliness to help me, I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to help me and also handle this transaction sincerely. Awaiting your urgent and positive response. Please my dear I want you to keep this as a top secret only to your self for now until the bank will release and transfer my inherited fund to you as my appointed trustee/partner. I beg you once again not to disclose this to any body until i come over your country because I am afraid of my wreaked stepmother who has threatened to kill me and have my inherited fund alone. I thank you very much and am expecting to hear from you soonest.
Yours Sincerely
Mary Kipkalya Kones.
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| District 9 Alien |
