New Nigerian Scam

Just thought I would let my loyal readers know of a twist on the Nigerian scams. You know, those emails that come from officials of the Nigerian government, a Nigerian corporation (often oil), or relative of such. Sometimes, someone has died and the "official" is looking for a next of kin, and unable to find one, has selected you to receive the funds. There are other variations, but I want to make you aware of this one.

It might not be new to anyone but me, but I haven't seen this one before. I received an email from ussenatewashingtonofficial17@yahoo.com entitled IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF YOUR FUNDS. It has a photo of the US Capitol building, links to both the Senate and House of Representatives, and two seals of the US Senate.

This is the email:

FROM: -

THE CHAIRMEN AND RANKING MEMBERS OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, AND THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
Approved and Witnessed by -

Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wisconsin
Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wisconsin
White House and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois,
Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wisconsin, Senate filibuster.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.

Subject Matter - Request for Patriots Act on international fund transfer in your favor
After very long meetings held by the above mentioned officials and the Minister of state for finance including the Board of Directors of the World Bank, the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund, to see to the release of long term debt owed to many foreigners around the globe who have been denied of their funds,The United States Senate has been authorized to handle the urgent release of all funds owed by any of the financial institutions or Government that is a member of the United Nations, this is based on the loans and disbursement agreement signed between the US Government and Governments of these debtor nations, the release of your fund will be supervised by the World Bank representatives in London to ensure immediate payment in your favor and avoid delay.

From the records of outstanding claims due for payment submitted by the United Nations, your name is next on the list of the outstanding bills to be settled, I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter.

Kindly re-confirm the following information to MR DONALD COX the US SENATE REPRESENTATIVE AND HEAD OF THE PAYMENT CENTER IN LONDON ENGLAND for final verification of your details so that the funds will be transferred in your favour, please contact MR DONALD COX on telephone 44 795 1322664 or via email, USSENATEOFFICIALLONDON10@YAHOO.CO.UK

1) Your full name, 2) Phone number ( mobile should be included) .3) The claim amount 4) Your complete Banking details to avoid mistakes As soon as the above information is received, your payment will be made to you without further delay.

Note that the senate officials in UK have been authorised to handle this payment to keep a clean slate of foriegn debt settlement because some Government officials and individuals have tried to transfer this fund to you but failed due to dishonesty and unneccesary demand for fees,You are hereby advised to stop any further communications with any one else or any other financial institution and comply to this to avoid any further delay.

Please note that the United Nations and Government of the debtor country will not be interested in any complaint from you if you fail to receive your fund via this programme or fail to abide by this instruction.
Your urgent attention is expected

Thank you

It is "signed" by "Dick Lugar" who I assume is Senator Lugar of Indiana.

I started a "you've got to be kidding" reply, but decided that I would forward it to Senators Lugar and Feingold. I tried to find email for other's who were named in the email, but could only find webforms. I will be going back and advise that their names are being used in a scam later, however.

It's hard to believe just has bold these scammers are, but there you go.