by Luna Kay

Created on: January 15, 2008

Do you receive emails stating you're the long lost relative of some deceased multi-millionaire you've never heard of? Or how about a missionary that needs to give up his poor little puppy because Fido just can't handle the heat?

Do you want to stop those emails forever? I have a solution for you.

Write them back. Let them know you'd be happy to go and pick up your newly inherited millions, or that you'd love to meet Fido in person before you buy him. Ask them for their personal and contact information. Where they live, directions on how to get there, etcetera. As they respond and tell you repeatedly that they need your contact information, press harder for their own. Let them know that you CANNOT, in good conscience, just accept what they say at face value and you need to meet them in person to complete any transaction, including buying a cute little puppydog. But of course, if they'd like for you to fly out and work out a deal face to face, that would be wonderful. Try to include some random, off the wall enlightenment on why you want/need the money (if it's a financial transaction scam), such as, "This money will be useful in my quest for world domination!"

Do this two or three times, and you'll never see another email from them. Why? Because word spreads fast. As soon as one knows you're turning their own technique back on them, they all will. And when they realize they won't be able to get your information, they'll stop. The Nigerian scammers have a network in place, and will forgo sending emails to those whom they know to be less-than-easy targets in favour of unknowns.

How do I know this? I got lucky enough to have figured it out. I, too, was the recipient of those obnoxious emails requesting my help in transferring funds out of the country, or paying shipping for precious puppy cargo, and I'd had enough. I stopped ignoring them and began bantering back and forth, trying to find out everything I could about my would-be scammers. I asked for details - bank information, location, home telephone numbers, how I could contact them directly. After about the 3rd email doing this, I never received another. Hopefully you won't either.

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