Merry Nigerian Christmas.

A friend of mine came up with a great (and seasonal) way to illustrate to the average non-tech person why Nigerian scams are so easy to spot, which could help them stay away in droves.

I'll use an example I just received.

From: "John Mensah" <jchaka51@gmail.com>
Subject: Genuine Investment Proposal
To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Dear Sir,

My name is John Mensah from Ghana. I represent a group of a Government Certified Local Gold Dust Miner in Ghana. We have just concluded gold dust deals with foreign gold trading companies in Ghana and realised some funds out of the deals. The funds are now kept in security companies in Ghana and Cote D'Ivoire respectively. We would want to invest the funds outside Africa and if you are interested to assist us in this venture, please respond immediately so that we will discuss details on how to handle the transaction.

Yours faithfully,
John Mensah

Now let's switch the identity:

From: "Santa Claus" <santaclaus@gmail.com>
Subject: Genuine Investment Proposal
To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Dear Sir,

My name is Santa Claus from The North Pole. I represent a group of a Gift-Making Elves in The North Pole. We have just concluded manufacturing of toys in The North Pole and are ready to begin distribution. The toys are now kept in safe places in The North Pole and my sleigh respectively. We would want to distribute the toys outside The North Pole and if you are interested to assist us in this venture, please respond immediately so that we will discuss details on how to handle the transaction.

Yours faithfully,
Santa Claus

Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, you know that Santa Claus doesn't "need assistance" in providing toys that he freely distributes to children around the world. He just does it. So why would you need to send him anything? (Well: aside from a Christmas list I mean...)

More importantly, assuming you responded to this criminal, he'd immediately come up with some story that you somehow needed to send him a "fee" to begin with your "assistance."

The same is true of our "John Mensah", and unfortunately just like Santa Claus, he doesn't exist.

This holiday season, remind your loved ones not to participate in Nigerian scams. Many, many people still fall for these. An analogy like this one might make it much clearer how to spot these scams.

SiL / IKS / concerned citizen

[Edited Dec. 17th for stupid spelling error. Apologies to Mr. Claus and wife...]