My inbox: A portal into a criminal world

Ever since I increased my online presence through blogging, putting my resume in job-searching databases and joining social and professional networking sites, the amount of scam and spam e-mails that I receive on a daily basis has skyrocketed.

I get e-mails from "insurance companies" that offer me jobs. These bums try to capitalize on the vulnerability of unemployed folks and often hit them up for training fees and other expenses that don't lead to an income-producing job. I get e-mails that try to trick me into joining "free" job sites, only to find out after I am done filling out the forms that there is a fee to activate my account. It gets annoying. Just more technology-driven irritants in the course of a typical day. This sort of Internet lawlessness needs to be cleaned up.

I got the following e-mail this morning. It's a typical scam, and it's hard to believe that people would fall for this. The poor grammar and spelling alone should be huge red flags. I have not altered a single letter. I am amused by the pronouncements of affection for me and my family, like that's going to get me to turn over my bank account information. But this is no laughing matter. If it didn't occasionally work, and tragically wipe people out financially, this e-mail scam would not exist.

Dearest Beloved Friend,

How are you and your family? Hope Fine. I am Mrs. Cynthia bergLee from United states of America. And I am a deaf and Blood cancer patient. l Got your information in internet site through God direction after my prayers. I was married to Late Mr.Steve berg Lee who was a contractor with the government of Canada before he died after few months now in the hospital over injuries sustained from a bandictory attack suspected to be masterminded by his family for the acts of jealousy of his wealth.

When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $2,850,000.00 (Two Million,eight hundred and fifty thousand United States Dollars) with a bank which I will like you to contact them and ask for the fund to be transfered into your bank account for you to use it to help the the less privilaged people. I am earger to have you respond back to me imme diately due to my health condition hence medical examination results never give any positive empression. Therefore my Doctor told me that it is very likely I will die within the next 6 months due to A Blood cancer {LEUKAMIA}.

I have decided to donate the money for charity since I do not have a child to inherit it and it is better I do not die leaving the money here without it reaching the poor and the less privilaged ones in the society.

Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated here in. Hoping to receive your response immediately.(cynthia_berg.cantv.net)

Thanks and Remain blessed.
Mrs. Cynthia berg Lee.