I hope this will not meet you as a surprise, as I know that I have not heard any previous corresponding with you, but have taken interest in you, as a result of my choice of investment. I am Samuel Idowu Group Head, Internal Control (First Atlantic Bank Plc). 

This is an urgent and very confidential business proposition. I am seeking your assistance here to enable me transfer and invest the sum of $10.5M in LANDED PROPERTIES there in your country. The source of these funds is as follows: 

On June 6, 2001,a Foreign Oil consultant/contractor with the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Mr.Steve Diakakis, made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$10,500,000.00,( Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) in my branch. 

Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract employers, the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, that Mr.Steve Diakakis died from an automobile accident. On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a WILL, and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless. 

I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr.Steve Diakakis did not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official documents, including this Bank Deposit documents in my Bank. This sum of US10.5M has carefully been fixed in my bank for safekeeping. No one will ever come forward to claim it. 

According to the Nigerian Law, at the expiration of 5 (five) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Government if nobody applies to claim the fund. Consequently, my proposal is that, since Mr.Steve Diakakis is a Foreigner and you bear almost the same name with him, I will like you as a Foreigner to stand in as the owner of the money which was fixed deposited in my bank. 

I am writing you because I as a public servant, I cannot operate a foreign account, and moreso, my choice of investment, is one of the reasons why I would want you to assist me, as I will need your assistance to lay claims and invest these in the Real Estate business, to which any PROFIT RETURN will be shared under an agreed percentage between the both of us, outside the normal percentage to be agreed on for your assistance. 

I want to present you as the owner of the funds so you can be able to claim them. This is simple. I will like you to provide immediately your full names and address, as well as phone and fax numbers, so that all the necessary document can be  prepared , which will put you in place as the beneficiary of the funds. 

The money will be moved out for us to share in the ratio of 80% for me and 20% for you. The paperwork for this transaction will be done in accordance to the law of the land and this guarantees the successful execution of this transaction. If you are interested, please endeavor to reply immediately via my email address at:samuelidowu@mighty.co.za and upon your response, I shall provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction. 

Please observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in Real Estate within your country. This is the major reason why I have contacted you. 

Due to the nature and confidentiality in this Transaction, it should be accorded all the necessary confidentiality required, as my job will beat stake in the event of any eventuality. I will pause for now, as I await your urgent response Regards. 

Samuel Idowu

Group Head, Internal Control

(First Atlantic Bank Plc)

Dear XXXXX,

I am George Smith, an attorney at law. A deceased client of mine,by 

name 

Mr.Frednand XXXXXX, who hereinafter shall be referred to as my 

client, died in a lane crash with members of his family on their way to New York for 

Holidays. See link below:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/859479.stm

I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left behind by 

my client before it is Confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank 

where this deposit valued at (US$10.5M) is lodged. This Bank has issued me a 

notice to contact the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated. 

My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the 

next-of-kin and beneficiary of my client, so that the proceeds of this account can 

be paid to you. Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon 

percentage:

1. 35% for you

2. 60% for me

3. 5% to be set aside for any expenses to be incurred in course of this 

transaction.

All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin 

will be provided. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see 

this Transaction through. This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement 

that will protect you from any breach of the law. If this business 

proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology. Please contact me at 

once to indicate your interest.

Best regards,

ESQ.George Smith.

Email: smithgg@myway.com

The following is a list of around 100 suspect banks and investment companies used in lottery scams. It is important to note that some company names may be genuine, but have been hijacked by the fraudsters and used with fake web sites.