Waaaaay back in ancient history, I actually reported a Nigerian scammer to the FBI. This was, oh, 1997 or so, maybe 1998. The FBI already had a cybercrimes unit in San Francisco, and I had a half-hour conversation with one of the agents there about a bizarre email I'd received from a Nigerian IP address. We actually did some IP tracing and header analysis on the email to determine its origin. Yes, the scam was that new.
Who was it that said, the more things change, the more they stay the same? Right:
OFFICER IN-CHARGE:
NAME: Mr. Robert Stephen Sien @
FBI UK Internet Fraud Watch/Alert
Phone: +44 792 457 7408
We are writing in response to our track light monitoring device which we received today in our office about your transactions.
The Federal Bureau Of Investigation (FBI) Washington DC, in conjunction with the Scotland Yard, Has screened through our various Monitoring Networks also our German counterpart the anti fraud unit reported that your identity/information was used to dupe a German Business man to the tune of $5 Million USD by some Africa/Nigerian Fraudsters.
After all the series of investigations conducted here in our office we tracked your record and we found out that you have never had any fraudulent case that may jeopardize your image and personality.
We have concluded our investigation and you have been approved to be compensated from the total amount recovered for scam victims compensation. So all you need to do right now in other to receive your compensation and clear your name from the list of these Con Men which has already been forwarded to our office is to secure the CLEAN BILL CERTIFICATE immediately.
This Certificate will clear your name from the scam list which will enable you receive the sum of $500,000.00 Usd compensation fund.
You are required to contact Robert S. Sien by email: rssien@aol.com with your full name and contact details for easy communication also to guild you on how to secure
the CLEAN BILL CERTIFICATE and claim your money.
THANKS FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION.
Robert Stephen Sien.
FBI SPECIAL AGENT
You know what tipped me off? What made me certain this was a 419 scammer? Because, you can see, it's quite well crafted, no loose ends, nothing to arouse suspicion.
What tipped me off was this:
When real FBI agents refer to their employer, they never capitalize "of".
It's obvious when you look at it.