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One of the biggest internet scams that's been going on in the past several years comes from Nigeria internet cafe.

As odd as it might sound, there are people who just sit there drinking coffee or tea all day and send out email messages.

Their basic modus operandi is to tell you that you have inherited a large sum of money from some relative you've never heard of, or that you won some lottery with a ticket some friend in another part of the world bought for you.

The 'catch' is that to transfer the payment, they ask for your name, address, phone, bank account (including routing) numbers, etc.

Not only might this be enough for them to obtain access to your finances, but they COULD steal your identity as well.

And lately, many of us have been getting offers for loans, credit cards, etc.

Obviously, don't fall for these! Anything that you cannot verify by calling to a bonafide phone number could be fake!

However, there are a few 'giveaways' to the more standard varieties of these scams that are almost amusing:
--Using the term, "Dearest," as part of the greeting
--Claiming to be a lawyer ('solicitor,' to you Brits)
--Using religious phrasing that indicates your agreement to give them a 'finder's fee' is the Christian thing to do

Suggestions for Resolution:
--Don't respond back. Although you might be tempted to write a sarcastically threatening message back, you are just confirming your email address for them to bother you in the future.
--Don't bother thinking about legal recourse; it would cost you money (and time) to contact and follow up with their local authorities. Also, some reports are that this activity is so prevalent, that their police don't even bother to investigate any more.
--No matter how 'legit' or tantalizing the email seems, don't waste your time reading 'hope' into the situation that it's real. If these situations WERE real, you would be contacted by MAIL ('post' for our European comrades) for anything of actual legal value.