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SCO Nigerian Spam

An anonymous reader writes "This Nigerian/SCO spam email (courtesy of Ars Technica) has been doing the rounds recently." With all the SCO news lately, it's nice to see something with a bit of humor in it.

171 comments

  1. subj by Tirel · · Score: 4, Funny

    How much do you want to bet *some* people will fall for it and sue SCO? I can just hear some linux hackers laughing about the matter in the background.

    1. Re:subj by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Don't laugh. Some people fall for it and pay. My aunt was caught up in a nigerian scam (running out of the netherlands in reality) and lost her initial $5k 'investment'

      People don't use their brains when they're on the net. If it comes in email they believe it.

      I should have asked her for $5k myself. I probably would have worked it out of her in days, and it could bay for the damned free tech support she expects from me.

    2. Re:subj by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      how? These emails come in looking so blatantly like a scam it's not funny. All caps, foreign country, stupid english. $30 million smuggled out of the country? do people sit around one day hoping their poor pathetic lives will suddenly become interesting when they're plunged into the intrigue of a spy thriller and they'll come out of it rich?

      Sad.

    3. Re:subj by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      do people sit around one day hoping their poor pathetic lives will suddenly become interesting when they're plunged into the intrigue of a spy thriller and they'll come out of it rich?

      Yes.

    4. Re:subj by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They're not quite as implausible as the penis-lengthening spams or instant weight loss or attractiveness or whatever ones. And the rewards are higher.

    5. Re:subj by satyap · · Score: 2, Insightful

      People are dumb, Jay. Somewhere out there there are just enough people just stupid enough to fall for spam and scam. As for all caps and stupid English, AOLers and /. trolls do that all the time.

    6. Re:subj by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How did you know I'm Jay?

    7. Re:subj by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your aunt and all others who are as ignorant as her should be shot one by one as to avoid allowing them to further spread their filth into the world through breeding.

    8. Re:subj by jimbolaya · · Score: 1

      May I have your aunt's e-mail address?

      --

      There ain't no rules here; we're trying to accomplish something.

    9. Re:subj by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Could you please stop calling it Nigeria Scam as there are many scammers from USA, Europe and other parts of the world without being named after their country? I think it is a good idea to name the scam after the person's name.

      Any person that falls for it is also a scammer or rather practicing scamming. I think is time to start asking yourself, if that is a legitimate way of making money. If your relatives happen to fall for it then it is a shame that they are the people motivating those scammers that are out there or practicing scamming. If anyone happens not to fall for it then they will consider their selves to be stupid and then think of legitimate way to make money.

  2. Missed opportunity by Empiric · · Score: 5, Funny

    SCO's e-mail neglects to mention that since they have the e-mail itself copyrighted, and you're now using it on one of your computers by opening it, you already owe them a sum they will "conveniently supply"...

    I amazed crafty Darl would miss this obvious profit opportunity!

    --
    ~ Whence do you come, slayer of men, or where are you going, conqueror of space?
    1. Re:Missed opportunity by aristocles · · Score: 0, Redundant

      Where do I sign up?!?!?

  3. Any true by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Nigerian would be embarrassed by this effort.

  4. If anyone believes this.... by Autolycus · · Score: 3, Funny

    Then I have some swamp land in Florida to sell them.

  5. The worst of it all... by lesterchakyn · · Score: 3, Funny

    The worst thing is that many people will ACTUALLY fall for it (as for the other nigerian Scam) ... people that still believe that there's some "good" people around there ...

    I really loved the "AND WITH THE AMOUNT LEFT BLANK FOR US TO CONVENIENTLY SUPPLY" part... hehehe...

    Seriously..... would be someone there SO stupid to answer to this??!

    1. Re:The worst of it all... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The worst thing is that many people will ACTUALLY fall for it (as for the other nigerian Scam) ... people that still believe that there's some "good" people around there ...

      The whole point of a Nigerian scam is that the victim thinks that they're getting on the inside of some crooked scheme. Nobody signs up for 30% of $10,000,000 (or whatever) because they think it's all clean and above board. They think they've got the chance of a lifetime and that BECAUSE it's obviously (despite all the denials, in fact emphasised by all the denials) crooked that the other party really needs them to make it work.

      The fact that they've been knowingly engaging in a crooked scheme is then used against them later as part of the extortion effort or to dissuade them from going to the authorities.

      Believing that there are "good" people out there doesn't come into it.

    2. Re:The worst of it all... by Zachary+Kessin · · Score: 2, Funny

      I belive there are some good people around Nigeria, but they are not sending out the spams. Of late I have taken to trying to toy with them. I am mostly asking them to send a new car to me or my agent as a show of good faith.

      So far I no new cars have shown up in my driveway :).

      --
      Erlang Developer and podcaster
    3. Re:The worst of it all... by rickg13 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I teach nights at a local college. On no fewer then 3 occasions in the last year I have had students check their e-mail during lab, call me over, show me the Nigerian scam, and then ask me "Is this legit? Do you think I should do it?"

      Each time I've responded with "You're kidding right?"

      And each time I've been given back a look that tells me that no they're not kidding.

      I am then forced to weep for the future.

    4. Re:The worst of it all... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      The whole point of a Nigerian scam is that the victim thinks that they're getting on the inside of some crooked scheme.

      As I noted in a message at the top of this story, my aunt lost $5000 to scammers. She STILL thinks that if the police hadn't intervened she'd have her money back, with her profits. Her trust was earned, and they still have it unfortunately.

    5. Re:The worst of it all... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Of course she thinks she'd get her money, otherwise she wouldn't get involved. It's extremely unlikely that she believes or ever believes that it was legal and above board. If she did then sorry but she's phenomenally stupid because the scammers don't even intend you to believe that. You're supposed to 'see through' the claims of legality. It's part of what makes you feel you're cleverer than them and therefore safe. The deliberately bad spelling and similar errors serve the same purpose.

      If she's claiming that she thought it was all legal and above board and that these were "good people" and you believe her then I think she's got you fooled.

    6. Re:The worst of it all... by herko_cl · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I am a little shocked by people falling over Nigerian scams, even when it was unpopular. My grandfather received the first one I ever saw, several years ago, and being over 80 years old. He laughed his ass off, and called us over to see it. He is quite intelligent, though. I've seen the gleam in some people's eyes when getting a Nigerian scam; it's the same as when they're buying a lottery ticket. Hoping it may be true...

      --
      No .sig for you! ONE YEAR!
    7. Re:The worst of it all... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I firmly believe that these Nigerian scams are simply an electronic form of natural selection. Next time, don't answer the question at all and simply allow themselves to auto-Darwinate. Think of the children!

    8. Re:The worst of it all... by randyest · · Score: 2, Funny

      Cute, but see how the experts do it. Don't click there until you have some spare time and a wan for a riotous laugh. Father Will U. Tuchme is my favorite.

      --
      everything in moderation
    9. Re:The worst of it all... by EvilAlien · · Score: 3, Funny
      Please have your Aunt contact me, I have an AMAZING BUSIENSS OPPORTUNITY FOR HER THAT IS ONLY VALID FOR ALIMITED TIEM!

      I suspect that people who so blatantly refuse to use their brains online are also shockingly stupid in other aspects of real life. It would be great is the 419/Nigerian scammers sold of list of the fools they reel in. I can see a variety of vacuum salesmen, real estate slime, and door-to-door soul savers using the list as a really effective targetted marketing list.

      --
      perl -e 'print $i=pack(c5, (41*2), sqrt(7056), (unpack(c,H)-2), oct(115), 10)'
    10. Re:The worst of it all... by alatesystems · · Score: 2, Funny
      herko_cl said:
      He laughed his ass off, and called us over to see it. He is quite intelligent, though.
      He doesn't know how to use the Forward button though?

      Chris

    11. Re:The worst of it all... by Stephen+Samuel · · Score: 1
      I am a little shocked by people falling over Nigerian scams, even when it was unpopular.

      They only need about 1 in 100,000 people to fall for this. Of all the people that you know, do you know of just one person stupid/crooked enough to possibly fall for something like this?? If so, then you're ahead of the curve.

      The SCO scam, is pretty much the same... They only need a small handfull of Fortune1000 companies to fall for their threats to make a tidy profit. "I mean, if they're willing to sue IBM, then ...."

      --
      Free Software: Like love, it grows best when given away.
    12. Re:The worst of it all... by Stephen+Samuel · · Score: 1
      My answer:
      Think about it -- Presuming that these people are legit, they're willing to scam their own country to the tune of millions of dollars. Do you think that they'd be willing to scam you too??? Who do you think has more experience at this?"
      Consider it part of your teaching duties.
      --
      Free Software: Like love, it grows best when given away.
    13. Re:The worst of it all... by BigBadBri · · Score: 2, Insightful
      The whole point of a Nigerian scam is that the victim thinks that they're getting on the inside of some crooked scheme.

      And the SCO pump-and-dump is what, precisely?

      --
      oh brave new world, that has such people in it!
    14. Re:The worst of it all... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you're aunt is a fucking idiot, and should not have passed down her idiot genes.

    15. Re:The worst of it all... by Ed+Avis · · Score: 1

      My dad got a Nigerian scam which did not appear to be crooked, which is to say it didn't appeal to the victim as an opportunity to get on the inside of some crooked scheme. It said that a rich clergyman had died and left some money in his will - and some of it was to go to the author of a book he had read. I dunno, maybe they try the same scam with all authors. Anyway the response was 'please deal with my solicitor' and the scammers weren't heard from again.

      At the time I have to admit I thought it was probably genuine, since it was so different from the normal 419 scam material. But I did advise against sending any headed notepaper or bank account details.

      --
      -- Ed Avis ed@membled.com
    16. Re:The worst of it all... by dipipanone · · Score: 5, Funny

      you're aunt is a fucking idiot, and should not have passed down her idiot genes.

      You wouldn't the poster's cousin, by any chance?

    17. Re:The worst of it all... by UserGoogol · · Score: 1

      But poor people can still reproduce. In fact, they tend to reproduce slightly more, since they can't always have the best birth control system.

      --
      "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity." -- Hanlon's Razor
    18. Re:The worst of it all... by Bush+Pig · · Score: 1

      How do you know they don't?

      --
      What a long, strange trip it's been.
    19. Re:The worst of it all... by Paradise+Pete · · Score: 2, Funny
      He laughed his ass off, and called us over to see it.

      And sure enough, there was his ass, just laying there on the floor.

    20. Re:The worst of it all... by jorlando · · Score: 1

      "She STILL thinks that if the police hadn't intervened she'd have her money back, with her profits. Her trust was earned, and they still have it unfortunately."

      PLEASE TELL ME YOUR AUNT EMAIL ACCOUNT. I'M THE NEPHEW OF THE DECEASED PRESIDENT MOBUTU SESE SEKO AND I HAVE A CHECK OF US$50000 (FIFTY THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS) IN AN ESCROW ACCOUNT AS A PROOF OF APPRECIATION OF HER CONFIDENCE IN ME AND MY ASSOCIATES. BUT DUE SOME US AGENTS THAT HAVE HARASSED OUR OPERATIONS IN THE PAST I HAVE TO ASK HER TO MAKE ANOTHER INVESTMENT OF US$10000 (TEN THOUSAND AMERICAN DOLLARS) SO ANOTHER ASSOCIATE CAN PAY SOME INTERMEDIATES. IN THE TOTAL SHE WILL BE PAID US$60000 (SIXTY THOUSAND AMERICAN DOLLARS) FOR HER INVESTMENTS!

      I SWEAR! REALLY! I MEAN IT :-)

    21. Re:The worst of it all... by 2wheelthunder · · Score: 2, Funny

      That makes sense. After all, they share the same last name.

    22. Re:The worst of it all... by stanmann · · Score: 1

      Not dipping your wick is free, last I checked, and is scientifically the best birth control system.

      --
      Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
    23. Re:The worst of it all... by FurryFeet · · Score: 1

      Boy, and will you be freaked out if one does....

    24. Re:The worst of it all... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      on a par with gay sex, or the classic geek alternative if you can't be bothered interacting with anyone else.

  6. hah, by DashEvil · · Score: 5, Funny

    SCO is just upset because the average Linux user gets laid more than them.

    --
    -If God wanted people to be better than me, he would have made them that way.
    1. Re:hah, by digitalunity · · Score: 1

      Average Linux user?

      Cowboyneal get's more than Darl. He's just jealous.

      --
      You can't legislate goodness. Let each to his own destiny, by will of his freely made choices.
    2. Re:hah, by krumms · · Score: 0, Troll

      SCO is just upset because the average Linux user gets laid more than them.

      In Soviet Russia, the prostitutes pay YOU? :P

    3. Re:hah, by Jonavin · · Score: 4, Funny

      They don't get laid, but they sure try to fuck with a lot of people.

    4. Re:hah, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      SCO is just upset because the average Linux user gets laid more than them.


      You only get laid once as a Bride...
  7. Re:I Guess It Beats by Esion+Modnar · · Score: 1
    the other lonely Linux Fan-Boy saturday night staple, self-love.

    So, self-love, what exactly *was* the lonely Linux Fan-Boy Saturday night staple? Don't keep me in suspense.

    And do you always call yourself self-love, or is it an occassional thing? Sounds kinda Russian, like Soflov, or Suflov...

    --

    They say the first thing to go is your penis. Well, it's either that or your brain. I forget which...
  8. I don't think it's the best Nigerian-style scam! by Threni · · Score: 5, Funny

    Surely this one is:

    URGENT ASSISTANCE - FROM USA
    IMMEDIATE ATTENTION NEEDED: HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL
    FROM: GEORGE WALKER BUSH 202.456.1414 / 202.456.1111 FAX: 202.456.2461

    DEAR SIR / MADAM,

    I AM GEORGE WALKER BUSH, SON OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
    STATES OF AMERICA GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH, AND CURRENTLY SERVING AS
    PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THIS LETTER MIGHT SURPRISE
    YOU BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT MET NEITHER IN PERSON NOR BY CORRESPONDENCE. I
    CAME TO KNOW OF YOU IN MY SEARCH FOR A RELIABLE AND REPUTABLE PERSON TO
    HANDLE A VERY CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS TRANSACTION, WHICH INVOLVES THE
    TRANSFER OF A HUGE SUM OF MONEY TO AN ACCOUNT REQUIRING MAXIMUM
    CONFIDENCE.

    I AM WRITING YOU IN ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE PRIMARILY TO SEEK YOUR
    ASSISTANCE IN ACQUIRING OIL FUNDS THAT ARE PRESENTLY TRAPPED IN THE
    REPUBLIC OF IRAQ. MY PARTNERS AND I SOLICIT YOUR ASSISTANCE IN
    COMPLETING A TRANSACTION BEGUN BY MY FATHER, WHO HAS LONG BEEN ACTIVELY
    ENGAGED IN THE EXTRACTION OF PETROLEUM IN THE UNITED STATES OF
    AMERICA,AND BRAVELY SERVED HIS COUNTRY AS DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED STATES
    CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY.IN THE DECADE OF THE NINETEEN-EIGHTIES, MY
    FATHER, THEN VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, SOUGHT TO
    WORK WITH THE GOOD OFFICES OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ TO
    REGAIN LOST OIL REVENUE SOURCES IN THE NEIGHBORING ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF
    IRAN. THIS UNSUCCESSFUL VENTURE WAS SOON FOLLOWED BY A FALLING-OUT WITH
    HIS IRAQI PARTNER, WHO SOUGHT TO ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL OIL REVENUE SOURCES
    IN THE NEIGHBORING EMIRATE OF KUWAIT, A WHOLLY-OWNED U.S.-BRITISH
    SUBSIDIARY.

    MY FATHER RE-SECURED THE PETROLEUM ASSETS OF KUWAIT IN 1991 AT A COST OF
    SIXTY-ONE BILLION U.S. DOLLARS ($61,000,000,000). OUT OF THAT
    COST,THIRTY-SIX BILLION DOLLARS ($36,000,000,000) WERE SUPPLIED BY HIS
    PARTNERS IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA AND OTHER PERSIAN GULF
    MONARCHIES, AND SIXTEEN BILLION DOLLARS ($16,000,000,000) BY GERMAN AND
    JAPANESE PARTNERS. BUT MY FATHER'S FORMER IRAQI BUSINESS PARTNER
    REMAINED IN CONTROL OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ AND ITS PETROLEUM RESERVES.

    MY FAMILY IS CALLING FOR YOUR URGENT ASSISTANCE IN FUNDING THE REMOVAL
    OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ AND ACQUIRING THE PETROLEUM
    ASSETS OF HIS COUNTRY, AS COMPENSATION FOR THE COSTS OF REMOVING HIM
    FROM POWER. UNFORTUNATELY, OUR PARTNERS FROM 1991 ARE NOT WILLING TO
    SHOULDER THE BURDEN OF THIS NEW VENTURE, WHICH IN ITS UPCOMING PHASE MAY
    COST THE SUM OF 100 BILLION TO 200 BILLION DOLLARS ($100,000,000,000
    -$200,000,000,000), BOTH IN THE INITIAL ACQUISITION AND IN LONG-TERM
    MANAGEMENT. WITHOUT THE FUNDS FROM OUR 1991 PARTNERS, WE WOULD NOT BE
    ABLE TO ACQUIRE THE OIL REVENUE TRAPPED WITHIN IRAQ. THAT IS WHY MY
    FAMILY AND OUR COLLEAGUES ARE URGENTLY SEEKING YOUR GRACIOUS
    ASSISTANCE. OUR DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES IN THIS BUSINESS TRANSACTION
    INCLUDE THE SITTING VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
    RICHARD CHENEY,WHO IS AN ORIGINAL PARTNER IN THE IRAQ VENTURE AND FORMER
    HEAD OF THE HALLIBURTON OIL COMPANY, AND CONDOLEEZA RICE, WHOSE
    PROFESSIONAL DEDICATION TO THE VENTURE WAS DEMONSTRATED IN THE NAMING OF
    A CHEVRON OIL TANKER AFTER HER. I WOULD BESEECH YOU TO TRANSFER A SUM
    EQUALING TEN TO TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT (10-25 %) OF YOUR YEARLY INCOME TO
    OUR ACCOUNT TO AID IN THIS IMPORTANT VENTURE. THE INTERNAL REVENUE
    SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL FUNCTION AS OUR TRUSTED
    INTERMEDIARY. I PROPOSE THAT YOU MAKE THIS TRANSFER BEFORE THE FIFTEENTH
    (15TH) OF THE MONTH OF APRIL. I KNOW THAT A TRANSACTION OF THIS
    MAGNITUDE WOULD MAKE ANYONE APPREHENSIVE AND WORRIED. BUT I AM ASSURING
    YOU THAT ALL WILL BE WELL AT THE END OF THE DAY. A BOLD STEP TAKEN SHALL
    NOT BE REGRETTED, I ASSURE YOU. PLEASE DO BE INFORMED THAT THIS BUSINESS
    TRANSACTION IS 100% LEGAL. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO CO-OPERATE IN THIS
    TRANSACTION,PLEASE CONTACT OUR INTERMEDIARY REPRESENTATIVES TO FURTHER
    DISCUSS

  9. Re:Informative by DashEvil · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Deja vu?

    --
    -If God wanted people to be better than me, he would have made them that way.
  10. Mod parent up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Get real he was very insightful about the sco situation.

  11. It's a new law of the Internet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    We've had the George W. Bush Nigerian spam, and now this.

    As any controversial issue continues, the probability of receiving a satirical Nigerian spam e-mail approaches 1.

    1. Re:It's a new law of the Internet by Autolycus · · Score: 1, Funny

      When do we get ones about Gray Davis and the California recall?

    2. Re:It's a new law of the Internet by macdaddy357 · · Score: 1

      Did you know that Charles Taylor is now running in Cali?

      --
      How ya like dat?
    3. Re:It's a new law of the Internet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So is Arnold.

  12. And not formatted either! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  13. I fell for it... by Osrin · · Score: 5, Funny

    the SCO shares I bought 7 months ago have jumped almost 500%.

    I'm still waiting for the $23m that the son of the Nigerian oil baron promised me though. I'll keep you posted.

    1. Re:I fell for it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dump them quick man. SCO is going to zero in the not so far future.

    2. Re:I fell for it... by Osrin · · Score: 1

      don't fret, I'll be out soon enough...

    3. Re:I fell for it... by dpcgriffin · · Score: 1

      Of course!
      I have people on it.
      My sig is a message to SCO :-)
      -----

      --
      Step away from the idiocy. Now. But first, a word from your sponsors!
    4. Re:I fell for it... by kikai+suki · · Score: 1
      Really, I'm waiting from my 10% of 22million u.s.$ from the widow of the former president of Dem. Rep. of Congo:


      Sender's name: Mrs.Rita.W. Kabila Sender's email address: rita_kabilaci@yahoo.fr Message as follows:

      PLEASE YOUR ASSISTANCE NEEDED.

      Dearest one.

      I am Mrs.Rita.W. Kabila, from Democratic Republic of Congo. There is an information I would like you to keep very confidential, There is sum amount of money my Husband Late President Laurent Kabila, deposited in a security company Abidjan Cote d'ivoire for safe keeping Before he was killed by his Eldest Millitary Son.

      The squable happened as immediately we returned back from our London trip. My husband married us three.I am the second wife.I will not be able to give you the full details that led to that urgly incidents. The Eldest Son is the current President of our country now. For now I am staying in Abijdan, the capital of Republic of Cote d'voire,just to save my life,with my three children. The money in question, is 22, Million U.S.Dollars. I can not make the withdrawal of this fund, because my husband registered the Beneficiary of the fund as his (Foriegn Bussiness Patner) and also (Family valuables as the content of the deposit) The documents of the deposit are with me. What I would want you to do, is to assits me to get the consignment withdrawn from the security company, and open a small account in a Bank here in your name, and transfer the money to your country, through the account .

      We shall replace the name Foriegn Patner to your own name, because the code was used for security reason. I will give you the 10% of the money for your assitance. There is no risk in this transaction. I will use the remain balance of the money for an investiment in your country for the future of my children. If you are intrested,and can maintain the very confidential of this transaction,you e-mail me immediately for more clearification, and also note that I am a refugees in Abidjan, Cote d' lvoire becuase of the assasnation of my late husband, and the civil war going on in our country, Democratic Republic of Congo. I can speak little english, but my son speaks good english, well his name is David and our direct telephone number is:+225 07 93 73 86. you can call for more information.

      Thank's and God bless you.

      MRS.Rita.w.Kabila.

      NB: please do reply me through my private email address at

      *edited* thank you.

  14. Or just use a 419 scam generator by AndroidCat · · Score: 5, Informative

    Like this one

    --
    One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    1. Re:Or just use a 419 scam generator by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Quality :) -- Date: August 17, 2003, 10:56 am From: "Deeoni Mandini" (address classified) To: Undisclosed Recepient(s) Dear Sir. Your contact information was referred to me by one of my trusted contacts, whose name I am not at liberty to compromize. I would like to approach you with reguards to a profitable Business Proposal, reguarding the transfer of FOURTY FIVE ($45) U.S. Dollars into your Bank Account. For reasons I am sure you will appreciate, I ask that you keep this commucation confidential, and avoid it falling into the hands of any agents of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police that may be operating in Your area. My name is Deeoni Mandini, and I am the Loyal Servant of Chuichui Bello, the recently Deceased Leader of the Freedom Fighters of Canada. If you have been following the events in my country over the last few years, you will remember the big scandal that took place when Bello was found dead in an alley, from an alledged overdose of Tylenol Flu. You see, my Master had a lot of enemies , even among the Opposition, who envied his great secret fortune. It was they who removed him in the hope to gain access to the money accumulated over his long career as a Freedom Fighter. Fortunately, there was too much scandal and media coverage in the aftermath of Bello's death for them to move openly to claim his money. This gave me and a few trusted people who were still loyal to my Master, an opportunity to move the money into a secret account at the Second Central Bank of Canada. While we managed to do this without the Royal Canadian Mounted Police becoming aware of our activities, the money cannot remain in this account, because at the end of the tax year, all deposits and interest will be reported to the Taxation Bureau of Canada, where our enemies have informants in their pay. The only option available to us, is transfering the money to a trusted partner who is a foreign national and cannot be linked to Chuichui Bello in any way. As your name was brought to my attention by a very trusted contact in Canada's Foreign Office, I have been authorized by my partners to contact you with this Proposal. All that would be required of you is the use of your bank account to perform a transfer of FOURTY FIVE ($45) U.S. Dollars. Once the money has been deposited, one of Bello's other Loyal Servants will contact you, at which point you will release FOURTY THREE DOLLARS ($43) of the amount into his custody. I am authorized by my Master's estate in Canada to offer you the remaining TWO DOLLARS ($2) as a compensation for your services. Because the money would only need to be in your bank account for a few days, and your danger of being discovered by The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is minimal, we believe the commission of FOUR PERCENT (4 %) to be more than generous. Once I have received Your consent and Bank Account number, I will be able to make a claim under Your name with The Canadian National Lottery for the above sum. We have a friend on the Board Of Oversight in that organization who has assured me that the claim will be processed without raising any red flags, and the money will be released into Your Bank Account no later than within SEVEN (7) days from the time I receive your response. I am at your disposal to answer any questions you may have about this Transaction, so don't hesitate to contact me via telephone, at +1-555-555-6366 (Just ask for Deeoni). I eagerly await your reply, though I must ask you to treat this matter with great secrecy, lest you betray me and my partners to the agents of Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Respectfully Yours, Deeoni Mandini

    2. Re:Or just use a 419 scam generator by Chatmag · · Score: 1

      Nigerian Scam Template (short form) For entertainment purposes only (the lawyers made me say that).

      --
      Pete Carr Owner Chatmag.com
  15. Re:Not All Caps! by xigxag · · Score: 2, Funny

    I can't decide which makes my eyes bleed more --ALL CAPS with proper paragraph breaks, or normal type but as one interminably run-on paragraph...

    --
    There are two kinds of people: 1) those who start arrays with one and 1) those who start them with zero.
  16. More SCO humour by coolfrood · · Score: 5, Funny

    SCO Group to Shoot Babies. This one's courtesy osnews.com

  17. Scam? by muffen · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This sounds like a really good business idea to me! I mean, c'mon, 1 billion dollars. The nigerian son of the king only had like 300 million to share. My 1000 dollars would only have given me like 10 million back.

    Just tell me who my lawyer should contact if I want to join :)

  18. Some suggested improvements: by vchoy · · Score: 5, Funny
    The CAPS effect is good and makes the letter look similar to the shit I get everyday in my inbox. However, the letter seems to be lacking the "dollar ($) numbers" that make the spam more authentic
    Here is my suggestion:

    MY ASSOCIATES HAVE RECENTLY MADE CLAIM TO COMPUTER SOFTWARES WORTH AN ESTIMATED $1 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS.

    Could be improved by:

    MY ASSOCIATES HAVE RECENTLY MADE CLAIM TO COMPUTER SOFTWARES WORTH AN ESTIMATED $1 BILLION ($1,000,000,000.00) U.S. DOLLARS.

    And to make things a bit more interesting:

    OUR ENGINEERS HAVE DISCOVERED THAT NO FEWER THAN SEVENTY (70) LINES OF OUR VALUABLE AND PROPRIETARY SOURCE CODES HAVE APPEARED IN THE UPSTART OPERATING SYSTEM LINUX.

    could be changed to:

    OUR ENGINEERS HAVE DISCOVERED THAT
    • UP TO
    • SEVEN IN TEN (70%)
    OF OUR VALUABLE AND PROPRIETARY SOURCE CODES HAVE APPEARED IN THE UPSTART OPERATING SYSTEM LINUX.

    To the author: the more dramatic and consistent in the apperence of the spam, the more automated response for the viewers to hit that block and delete key. Keep up the great work, you are getting there.
    1. Re:Some suggested improvements: by Empiric · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Gotta disagree with suggestion two here... the "SEVENTY (70)" line makes it perfectly clear to everyone what a ridiculously small fraction of Linux SCO might have some claim to.

      Suggestion one, I agree, would improve the impact of the piece.

      --
      ~ Whence do you come, slayer of men, or where are you going, conqueror of space?
    2. Re:Some suggested improvements: by brokencomputer · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Instead of re-secured, the letter should have said, re-securitized because george bush once said that about the russian missiles. securitize means to sell in the open market.

  19. Dr. Dobbs did this first? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Verity Stob's column in the September 2003 issue of Dr. Dobb's Journal was a Nigerian spam spoof, also dealing with SCO. IMO, the Dr. Dobb's version is better, though I don't know which version came first.

    1. Re:Dr. Dobbs did this first? by aldain · · Score: 1, Informative

      The Dr Dobb's version is available online at http://www.ddj.com/documents/s=7896/ddj0309m/

    2. Re:Dr. Dobbs did this first? by aldain · · Score: 3, Informative

      A link that actually works :) http://www.ddj.com/documents/s=7896/ddj0309m/

    3. Re:Dr. Dobbs did this first? by EddWo · · Score: 1
      --
      "Taligent is still pure vapor. Maybe they'll be the last who jumps up on Openstep... "
    4. Re:Dr. Dobbs did this first? by cheezit · · Score: 1

      ...and funnier too. That Verity Stob, she's a chuckler.

      --
      Premature optimization is the root of all evil
    5. Re:Dr. Dobbs did this first? by Mostly+a+lurker · · Score: 1

      Amazing, and BillG fell for it too. Look at all the money Microsoft gave SCO. Goes to show how gullible some people can be!

  20. you should take the nigerian guy seriously by andy666 · · Score: 5, Funny

    i helped him out and i made a bundle! with the money, i bought a great house with a fantastic mortgage. then i married a beautiful russian bride, and i pleasure her with my surgically enlarged, viagra driven member.

    the only problem i am having is finding toner....

    1. Re:you should take the nigerian guy seriously by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Wow you are a genius! You must have some sort of Ph.D from a premiere unaccredited university.

  21. Re:Not All Caps! - And properly formatted by efatapo · · Score: 1

    Coming from an Anonymous Coward...I'm terribly offended!

  22. Re:I don't think it's the best Nigerian-style scam by Zachary+Kessin · · Score: 5, Funny

    Then there is also this one...

    Subject: URGENT special arrangement
    FROM: GRIMHELM WORMTONGUE

    DUNLAND

    Dear sir and/or madame,

    Salutations, I am GRIMHELM WORMTONGUE, The son of late Counsellor Grima Wormtongue of the Kingdom of Rohan.

    My father was Chief Counsellor [equivalent to Prime Minister] to late lamented king Theoden of Rohan. In his position my father altogether legally and correctly acquired significant assets throughout Rohan in order to protect the Kingdom from enemy forces within and without.

    In the course of lamentable events succeeding, my father was illegally deprived of office and expelled from the Kingdom. Before this he had with foresight already entirely legally deposited the sum of M.500,000,000,000 in gold with the Bank of Gondor (Minas Tirith).

    While in exile in the north he was assaulted and murdered by a band of northern pigmies. His family was obliged to seek refuge in northern Dunland among some of our sympathisers.

    My father left to me all documents necessary to retrieve the sum of gold aforesaid from the Bank of Gondor (Minas Tirith). However, in the current political circumstances my solicitor believes it unwise for me to attempt to make the trip from Dunland to Minas Tirith, and has recommended that I seek a trustworthy foreign business partner into whose account this money could be tranferred. This appears to be the best option as we are unable to open an account in Dunland. Therefore we are seeking your trustworthy assistance and cooperation.

    You will provide information about your account that will enable a deposit to be made in your name. I will contact the Bank of Gondor (Minas Tirith) and inform them that the money is to be placed into your account. Upon completion of the transaction your share of the proceeds will be 15% net following deduction of all transfer fees, that is M.75,000,000,000. If the transaction goes well we also look forward to maintaining you as a profitable business partner for future ventures.

    It goes without saying that I can expect your complete confidence and secrecy in keeping this matter under wraps prefatory to completion.

    Thank you and ERU bless.

    MR. GRIMHELM WORMTONGUE

    Reply to Mr. Grimhelm Wormtongue

    Subject: Re:Urgent Special Arrangement
    To: Grimhelm Wormtongue, Dunland

    Dear Mr. Wormtongue,

    Thank you for your recent letter. I regret to inform you that your father, the late Grima Wormtongue (and our condolences to you - so sorry about the pigmy thing) had secured the services of the late Steward of Gondor, Denethor, who has recently passed on. Lord Denethor unfortunately had been ill for many months following the death of his eldest and most beloved son, Boromir (who himself met an untimely demise at the hands of brigands and murderers). During his illness, Lord Denethor sent most of the monies your father had to one Dark Lord. If you wish to contact him, you may do so at: The Dark Lord, Tower of Barad-d?r, Plains of Gorgoroth, Mordor. Unfortunately I do believe he is away on vacation and no date has been stated for his return.

    All that is left in the account at the Bank of Gondor of the original M.500,000,000,000 is M.01. So sorry. If you wish, you may consider investing this small amount into a fund that has a promising future and you may find your money growing over the years to come. I suggest, if I may, the fund called "Osgiliath Rebuilders Inc." It has good solid backing from the recently crowned King of Gondor, Lord Aragorn, who, it seems, has many resources at his command, having received many gifts and treasures from Dwarves and Elves during his coronation.

    If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to send a courier.

    Elbereth!
    Faramir, Steward of Gondor

    --
    Erlang Developer and podcaster
  23. Dr. Dobbs by bigattichouse · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Had one much like this posted as an editorial.

    --
    meh
    1. Re:Dr. Dobbs by aldain · · Score: 1

      Not as an editorial, it was Verity Stob's column. You can find it online, at http://www.ddj.com/documents/s=7896/ddj0309m

    2. Re:Dr. Dobbs by aldain · · Score: 1

      Oops, a slash fell off at the end of that url. Try http://www.ddj.com/documents/s=7896/ddj0309m/ instead.

  24. Conflict of interest by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Seriously, how is it that a president is allowed this kind of conflict of interest?

  25. Well, uh ... by dzym · · Score: 5, Funny

    I thought all the SCO news lately WAS the humor?

  26. Humor? by Quixotic+Raindrop · · Score: 1

    The whole SCO lawsuit is humor. Chris Sontag, I knew he had some talent for stand-up, but Darl? Who knew?!?

    --
    Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. (Einstein)
  27. Re:Informative by pair-a-noyd · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    No, it's "Vuja De"..

  28. I'm a SCO employee! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Thanks to slashdot for spreading our FUD... SCOX might rise again... watch it... muahahaha... YOU WILL EAT YOURSELF!

  29. "With all the SCO news lately..." by crashnbur · · Score: 0, Troll
    I'd like to point out that there's just as much news about everything else in the world, but with everything else, Slashdot uses a little more discretion in publishing stories about it. Here's an idea: limit SCO news to a maximum of one update per day, combining unique story submissions into something more like a feature.

    I don't know about you, but I've grown so tired of "all the SCO news lately" that I've stopped reading it. This isn't to say that it isn't newsworthy, but it feels like overkill.

    1. Re:"With all the SCO news lately..." by Mr.+Ophidian+Jones · · Score: 1

      I don't know about you, but I've grown so tired of "all the SCO news lately" that I've stopped reading it.

      Obviously not, if you're posting to this article.. :)

    2. Re:"With all the SCO news lately..." by undertow3886 · · Score: 1

      Just disable the Caldera topic from the homepage then.

      --
      Sick of people knocking on Gentoo's greatness in completely unrelated .sigs? Me too!
    3. Re:"With all the SCO news lately..." by crashnbur · · Score: 1

      You think posting a reply requires me to read the news associated with it? You need to learn more about how the world works. The point I made gave no indicated of and did not require my reading of the article here.

  30. Can we send this to McBride? by linuxislandsucks · · Score: 2, Funny

    Okay who is going to be the firs tone of the slashdotters pack to send this via email to MCbride to see what response you get? :)

    --
    Don't Tread on OpenSource
  31. haha by roka · · Score: 5, Funny

    With all the SCO news lately, it's nice to see something with a bit of humor in it.

    You probably don't know how hard I laughed while reading "SCO declares GPL invalid".

  32. Re:FoHo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Which explains why you clicked on this lame article.

  33. Re:it got slashdottet, the original text. by m1chael · · Score: 0

    metaphors are cool.

    --
    I know you are psychotic, but please make an effort.
  34. show me the money! by p51d007 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The greed of some people will cause some to fall for this one. The Nigerian scam has been in the news for months, and still some people fall for this scam

  35. The English is too good. by pair-a-noyd · · Score: 3, Funny

    It needs a heavier dose of Manglish (Mangled English) for it to be proper...

    1. Re:The English is too good. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think you mean "Broken English" or "Pigeon English"...

      And I hope you're not looking down on them because they speak different. Reminds me of how the Brits I'm around behave when the Yank comes to visit. Has Pygmallion taught us nothing?

    2. Re:The English is too good. by BigBadBri · · Score: 1
      Sure that's 'Niglish' (from Nigerian English)?

      --
      oh brave new world, that has such people in it!
    3. Re:The English is too good. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It would hopefully teach us how to spell Pygmalion, at least. Then perhaps you could write all your business letters in broken English and see how long you stay in your job?

  36. Yes But.. by The_Blerg · · Score: 1

    If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. You should be more than happy than with the $10 million the respectable Nigerian gentleman offered you.

    Don't get greedy!

  37. Groklaw's SCO Coverage by NetFusion · · Score: 1

    You can find allot of great articles exposing SCO's insanity and comedy of errors.

    Groklaw

  38. fire the "laser" by Mohammed+Al-Sahaf · · Score: 5, Funny

    DR. EVIL

    Anyways, since my "death star" laser was developed by my evil minions in Santa Cruz, California, I thought we'd name it in their honor - THE SANTA CRUZ OPERATION!

    SCOTT snickers again.

    DR. EVIL

    What now?

    SCOTT

    The Santa Cruz Operation is a technology company that makes money from frivolous lawsuits. Why dont you just call it the Walt Disney project? Ass.

    DR. EVIL

    Shhhh!

    SCOTT

    I'm nineteen, I don't-

    DR. EVIL

    Shh! Shh-Shh. Shh-Shhhhhh-Shh. Shh-shh! It's Morse code.

    (reading imaginary paper)

    Let me decipher...it says 'shhhhh!'

    SCOTT

    You are so lame..

    DR. EVIL

    Shhhh!

    --
    Former Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf
    1. Re:fire the "laser" by scifiber_phil · · Score: 1

      Very funny. Funnier really than the Nigerian bit. I really like the Dr. Evil plots out of sync with present times bits in the movies, and yours should be in the next Austin Powers film.

    2. Re:fire the "laser" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are still mocking Al-Sahaf?
      he was a professional doing his job, you are soooo sooooooo lame, if he didnt act the way he did Saddam would have his head on a stick....this a tragic thing and no longer funny...
      FACT: you are LAME

  39. as an aside... by jpellino · · Score: 1

    I don't get the nigerian scams since making a mail.app rule that simply trashes anything from a2000.nl - are they really such a one-note operation? I kinda miss them just a teenie tiny bit - screwing with their minds was a little bit of joy (suggest they call the DOJ phone number), but from the looks of things they were a bit like "Happy Fun Ball - do not taunt.

    --
    "Win treats sysadmins better than users. Mac treats users better than sysadmins. Linux treats everyone like sysadmins."
    1. Re:as an aside... by pe1chl · · Score: 1

      The a2000 people have found that they got blacklisted all over the world.
      Since a couple of months they have hired two people at their abuse desk, and changed the abuse@a2000.nl alias from /dev/null into something that is really read and handled.
      It appears they are now closing about 30 accounts a day due to abuse, and the Nigerian Scam people have moved on to the next provider. (Versatel)

  40. Alternative strategy by vchoy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Just a humble suggestion: Asking for credit card numbers or blank cheques/checks or direct deposits (donations) seems just a little unprofessional and unrealistic. I suggest the following:

    UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY EXTRACTING OUR FUNDS FROM THESE COMPUTER SOFTWARES. TO THIS EFFECT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE MANDATE BY MY COLLEAGUES TO CONTACT YOU AND ASK FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. WE ARE PREPARED TO SELL YOU A SHARE IN THIS ENTERPRISE "THE SCO GROUP (SCOX)" WHICH IS 100% PUBLICALLY LISTED ON THE NASDAQ STOCK EXCHANGE. OUR SHARE PRICE IS EXPECTED TO REACH UP TO ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) FOR EACH SHARE YOU PURCHASE THROUGH THE BROKERAGE OF YOUR CHOICE. TO HELP US GUAGE HOW YOUR SHARE PRICE WILL PERFORM, PLEASE CONTACT US AND GIVE YOUR INDICATION ON WHAT PRICE YOU EXPECT TO SELL YOUR SHARES TO MAKE INSTANT PROFIT. WE WILL PASS THIS INFORMATION TO OUR MANAGMENT TEAM AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS SO THEY CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISION REGARDING THE DIRECTION OF THE COMPANY.

    KINDLY TREAT THIS REQUEST AS VERY IMPORTANT AND STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. I HONESTLY ASSURE YOU THAT THIS TRANSACTION IS 100% LEGAL AND RISK-FREE.

    1. Re:Alternative strategy by Piquan · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but talking about investments and calling them risk-free is illegal.

  41. Uh oh by eap · · Score: 5, Funny
    With all the SCO news lately, it's nice to see something with a bit of humor in it.

    You mean this whole lawsuit thing is for real?

  42. That's our intellectural property! by gooru · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is SCO, and we are serving this subpoena for you to remove the "SCO Nigerian Spam" from your site. We bought the rights to said spam when we bought the rights to all of Unix System V, including Linux and all derivates. We reserve the right to publish "SCO Nigerian Spam" as we see fit. We own your spam. Cease and desist or be sued out of existance pathetic Slashdot!

  43. Re:I don't think it's the best Nigerian-style scam by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why does spam-writers ALWAYS have to use that caps lock key? No one on earth except them uses it intentionally. There should be some sort of detection method: if you write more than 3 lines with caps lock on, the text is sent to CIA or something like that. Then, a monkey over there looks if it's spam, and if it is, they burn the spammer in hell.

    This might have 2 outputs: one being the extinction of spammers, the others being quality spam that does not annoy the eyes.

  44. Yeah, Yeah, Ha Ha by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Very funny, but we've seen it all before.

    How about somebody put up a page depicting DimsDarl McPrisonBride losing his 'virginity' in his prison cell. You know, paste his face on the goatse.cx guy, an animated large black 'member' penetrating. I can see it now!

  45. SCO's Intellectual Property Laws by Roug · · Score: 5, Funny

    1. If I like it, it's mine.

    2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.

    3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.

    4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.

    5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.

    6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.

    7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.

    8. If I saw it first, it's mine.

    9. If you are developing something and you release it as GPL, it automatically becomes mine.

    10. If it's useless, it's yours!

    1. Re:SCO's Intellectual Property Laws by AndroidCat · · Score: 1
      10. If it's useless, it's yours!

      10a. Nothing is useless if we can charge you a licence fee for it.

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    2. Re:SCO's Intellectual Property Laws by glenebob · · Score: 2, Funny

      >> 10. If it's useless, it's yours!

      11. If you make it useful, it automatically becomes mine, along with anything else you have.

    3. Re:SCO's Intellectual Property Laws by Huge+Pi+Removal · · Score: 3, Funny

      Sure that isn't US foreign policy you're quoting there? :)

      </ducks>

      --
      - Oliver

      The right to bear arms is only slightly less stupid than the right to arm bears...
    4. Re:SCO's Intellectual Property Laws by Kalak · · Score: 1

      Finally proof that SCO is run by toddlers!!

      --
      I am, and always will be, an idiot. Karma: Coma (mostly effected by .hack)
    5. Re:SCO's Intellectual Property Laws by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      11. Profit!!!

  46. Even better by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The best part about the "SCO to Shoot Babies" story is that someone posted it to a thread here at Slashdot, and Google News found it. A search at Google News for sco execs dumping stock brings up the story. Apparently their scraping engine looks for standard byline formats ("By John Doe. City, ST - Something is happening") and pulled the fake news story from the Slashdot article.

    For awhile, it was even on the front page of Google News.

    --
    Rate Naked People! at Fuck Meter (not work-safe)

  47. CEASE AND DESIST by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Dear Sir or Madam,

    This law firm is intellectual property and litigation counsel to the Telemarketing Industry Association of Nigeria (TIAN). It has come to our attention that you are sending out e-mails offering for sale of a share in your company.

    Please be advised that TIAN is the holder of the patent for "offering for sale for a part of a company," which the United States Patent and Trademark office has accepted for registration on the Principal Register. Since 1997, my client has used the "business model" and has become famous worldwide. Internet users looking for Nigerian Businesses for sale expect to find my client's businesses.

    You are hereby warned and notified to CEASE AND DESIST your use of "offering for sale for a part of a company" as a business model, which you have obviously used in bad faith. If you do not immediately transfer all profits to TIAN, we will take all action necessary to protect our business model. Your failure to comply will result in my client's full and forceful prosecution of all of its rights, and you could incur liability for damages in excess of $100,000,000,000 and responsibility for our attorneys' fees.

    Sincerly,
    Olusegun Obasanjo

  48. But... by dze · · Score: 1

    It is funny, but there aren't enough spelling mistakes!

    --

    "Luck is the residue of design" -- Branch Rickey
  49. Oh my god! by Lindril · · Score: 5, Funny
    I have just realized that the entire world is just a collection of Nigerian 419 scams.

    I have lost the will to live.

    1. Re:Oh my god! by blibbleblobble · · Score: 1

      "I have just realized that the entire world is just a collection of Nigerian 419 scams."

      Is it Turing-complete?

  50. Nigerian 419 imitating SCO...? by heironymouscoward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dear Sir,

    You may have missed the recent news headlines,
    but as a businessman responsible for deploying
    vital computer systems and networks, you will be
    aware that the Linux operating system, which you
    have deployed, is a copyrighted (c) system with
    a documented trademark pedigree.

    Our company (SCO Holdings Internation Ltd.) bought, in 1992, the rights to all Unix kernels
    outside the United States of America (USA). We
    have learned to our dismay that the Linux
    operating system, which you are running on your
    computers in Europe, contains no less than 70
    (70) lines of our source code, and any business
    (such as yours) using or operating a Linux system
    is liable for breach of copyright and license.

    However, after careful consideration of your
    circumstances, we are prepared to offer you a
    special one-time "cleansing" license for the
    modest fee of only $699 per server. For this
    small license fee you not only get the right to
    use your Linux systems without further fees,
    you also get the peace of mind knowing you are
    using software that is commercially supported
    and developed.

    To order your license now, call 1-555-233323 and
    ask for me, Chinua Obeye
    Please ignore all messages from companies calling
    themselves "SCO Group" or "SCO International",
    these are scurilous fraudsters who will take your
    money and run.

    Sincerely,
    Chinua Obeye
    President of Vice
    SCO Holdings International

    --
    Ceci n'est pas une signature
  51. The really sad part is... by Vip · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ...that should they actually need money to continue the lawsuit, some venture capitalist somewhere will gladly give them the money to do so, in exchange for 30%.

    Vip

    1. Re:The really sad part is... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, but at least they won't be getting any money for free or anything. I mean, if Microsoft heard about it, they might buy a worthless widget for a few million... they just *love* worthless widgets. [Ed: see Clippy]

  52. Excellent! by BiggerIsBetter · · Score: 3, Funny

    It'll go nicely with the section I bought on the Moon.

    --
    Forget thrust, drag, lift and weight. Airplanes fly because of money.
    1. Re:Excellent! by scovetta · · Score: 1

      I've got a star with my name on it. In about a thousand years when we're all living on stars, it'll be worth something! I suggest you all get yours now, while supplies last!

      --
      Wer mit Ungeheuern kämpft, mag zusehn, dass er nicht dabei zum Ungeheuer wird. --Nietzsche
  53. I'm ready to start sending it... by jhoffoss · · Score: 1

    Anyone have a list of all the employee's email addresses at SCO?

    --
    Linux: The world's best text-adventure game.
    1. Re:I'm ready to start sending it... by soliaus · · Score: 2, Funny
      Anyone have a list of all the employee's email addresses at SCO?

      Just finger all of them, one by one. :-D

      --
      Speaking at Defcon 12 - Credit Card Networks Revisted: Pen
  54. RMS says by waitigetit · · Score: 1, Funny

    That should be GNU/SCO

    --
    I could care less, but not without a lobotomy
  55. That's already been discussed by Raul654 · · Score: 2, Interesting
    --


    To make laws that man cannot, and will not obey, serves to bring all law into contempt.
    --E.C. Stanton
  56. SCO finally reveals how much code it is by RouterSlayer · · Score: 1

    at least we now have Darl making a statement as to how much code is supposedly infringing.

    I mean, how hard would it be to rewrite 70 lines (or less) of code if (big if!) its infringing at all?
    Any of the kernel coders could probably do it in a fraction of a minute, or less.

    My guess is that its 70 lines of comments (remember, they went on ad-naseum about comments being copied).

    So let me get this right, they want 3 billion $$ for 70 lines of infringing "code" ? They can't be serious!!

    Hell, who knows, there could be 70 copyright lines that mention SCO/Caldara/etc in some way. Those would be real easy to fix.

    Oh yeah, to Darl and Chris - I hope you enjoy your new cellmate boyfriend Bubba, he'll fix you right up...

    1. Re:SCO finally reveals how much code it is by Slack3r78 · · Score: 1

      Congratulations, you just completed this Slashdot article by missing the point completely. Here's a doorprize, don't let the door hit you on the way out. :)

    2. Re:SCO finally reveals how much code it is by EmagGeek · · Score: 1

      "I mean, how hard would it be to rewrite 70 lines (or less) of code"

      That depends - are there substitutes for #ifdef, #endif, //, /*, and */ ?

  57. Hey, this was my idea and I have posted it twice by usurper_ii · · Score: 2, Informative

    because it was really good for Karma whoring!

    This was originally posted to Slashdot on Wednesday June 04, 2003 by me. This was something I actually thought of and wrote myself, too.

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Darl McBride
    Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2003 12:05 PM
    Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL

    ATTN: MANAGING DIRECTOR/C.E.O

    LINDON, UTAH

    REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP

    First, I must solicit your strictest confidence in this transaction. This by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential and 'top secret'. You have been recommended by an associate who assured me in confidence of your ability and reliability to prosecute a transaction of great magnitude involving a pending business transaction requiring maximum confidence.

    We are top officials of SCO Group (formerly Caldera International -- Nasdaq: SCOX) who are interested in obtaining your services. We are presently in negotiations in a business deal we feel will be quite lucrative. Since we may leave the country quietly in the middle of the night, in order to commence this business transaction, we solicit your assistance to enable us to transfer a large sum of money into your account to hold until further arrangements can be made.

    The source of this fund is as follows: We have leveraged IP that we originally thought belonged to our company in order to solicit a rather large monetary investment by the company Microsoft. We have in turn sued IBM for contractual violations and IP violations, as well as sending out thousands of threatening letters to various corporations and Linux vendors, in a move carefully designed to drive up our stock and put us in a position for our company to be purchased simultaneously. You see, this is a carefully executed plan modeled after what some might call, "a house of cards." We hope very much that we will collect from all parties involved, sell our stock before it tanks, and head for some fun in the sun, IF all goes as planned.

    However, by virtue of our position as members of the SCO Group, we cannot acquire this money in our names.I have therefore, been delegated as a matter of trust by my colleagues of the panel to look for an overseas partner into whose account we would transfer the sum of US $21,500,000.00 (Twenty One Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) Hence we are writing you this letter.

    We have agreed to share the money thus:

    1. 20% for the Account owner (you)
    2. 70% for us (The officials)
    3. 10% to be used in settling taxation and all local
    and foreign expenses.

    It is from the 70% that we wish to commence the importation business.

    Please, note that this transaction is 100% safe and we hope to commence the transfer latest seven (7)banking days from the date of the receipt of the following information below

    (a)company name and Beneficiary of account (b) Your Personal TeL. Number and Fax Number
    (c) Bank account/Sort/ABA/Routing numbers were the funds will be transferred to
    (d) Your Bankers Address, Telephone and Fax Number.

    The above information will enable us write letters of claim and job description respectively. This way we will use your company's name to cover our paper trail. We are looking forward to doing this business with you and solicit your confidentiality in this transaction.Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter using the above tel/fax number. I will bring you into the complete picture of this pending project when I have heard from you.

    Your faithfully,

    Darl McBride

  58. Re:I don't think it's the best Nigerian-style scam by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Conidleeze Rice, you know the reason she has a oil tanker named for her is because she actually sits on the board of directors of Chevron.

  59. As long as we've got the fulltext... by StarKruzr · · Score: 2, Funny

    Missing from this:

    1) Repeated references to "the grace of God" and how God has led him to the recipient

    2) The same paragraph twice in a row

    3) The sender's name changing in reference to himself, sometimes two or three times (we could go from Darl to another SCO officer, no?)

    --

    +++ATH0
  60. And the third being.... by Chakde+Phate! · · Score: 2, Funny

    the extinction of AOLers.

    Downside? What downside?

    1. Re:And the third being.... by chmod000 · · Score: 1

      And another being the extinction of OOG THE OPEN-SOURCE CAVEMAN!

      --
      Aptal soru yoktur; sadece merakli aptallar vardir.
  61. No. by StarKruzr · · Score: 1

    I think it's really about the fact that they haven't bothered to learn proper English to scam someone.

    I mean, come on. If you're going to scam someone, you could at least pay them the respect of doing it intelligibly.

    --

    +++ATH0
  62. Very funny by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Not only is this funny, but it presents a very compelling case for why SCO is seeking monies for their IP. I wonder when some of the ./ crowd will accept reality and give SCO more than just a defense based around what feels right. In my opinion, like a thief in the night someone hijacked the multi-processing code needed to make Linux work at the Enterprise. It's failure at the desktop prompted this pure act of desperation which will ultimately be it's downfall. Great things and great people are often fallen to a single misdeed. It's a shame.

  63. The best one is by boogahboogah · · Score: 1
    The 'Verity Stob' column in this month's Dr Dobb's Journal


    It's all about 'THE UNIX' & Darl McBride & the wording is perfect

  64. I got this one recently by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Here's the header:


    From: "OKONJI DIATA"
    Reply-To: okonji2003@mailsurf.com
    To:
    Date: Sun, 7 Jul 2002 08:10:24 -0700
    Subject: AFRI BANK PLC
    X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2919.6900 DM
    MIME-Version: 1.0
    Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
    Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable


    Here's the text message:



    From the Desk of
    MR okonji diata
    AFRI Bank Lagos-Nigeria

    STRICTLY A PRIVATE BUSINESS PROPOSAL

    I am MR okonji diata The manager, Bills and Exchange at the Foreign Remittance Department of the AFRI Bank of Nigeria Plc.

    I am writing this letter to ask for your support and cooperation to carry out this business opportunity in my department.We discovered an abandoned sum of
    $50,000,000.00 (Fifty million United States Dollars only)in an account that belongs to one of our foreign customers who died along with his entire family of a
    wife and two children in November 1999 in a Plane crash.

    Since we heard of his death, we have been expecting his next-of-kin to come over and put claims for his money as the heir, because we cannot release the fund from his account unless someone applies for claim as the next-of-kin to the deceased as indicated in our banking guidelines.

    Unfortunately, neither their family member nor distant relative has ever appeared to claim the said fund.Upon this discovery, I and other officials in my department have agreed to make business with you and release the total amount into your account as the heir of the fund since no one came for it or discovered he maintained account with our bank, otherwise the fund will be returned to the banks treasury as unclaimed fund.

    We have agreed that our ratio of sharing will be as stated thus: 20 %for you as foreign partner, 75 % for us the officials in my department and 5 % for the
    settlement of all local and foreign expences incurred by us and you during the course of this business. Upon the successful completion of this transfer, I and one of my colleagues will come to your country and mind our share. It is from our 75 % we intend to invest in (estate) and import Agricultural
    Machineries into my country as a way of recycling the fund.

    To commence this transaction, we require you to immediately indicate your interest by a return e-mail and enclose private contact telephone number, fax
    number full name and address and your designated bank coordinates to enable us file letter of claim to the appropriate departments for necessary approvals before the transfer can be made.

    Note also, this transaction must be kept STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL because of its nature.] I look forward to receive your prompt response.

    Yours Faithfully,
    MR okonji diata.
    AFRI Bank of Nigeria

  65. surely evidence is contained herein by rexguo · · Score: 1

    History of Unix. http://www.levenez.com/wall/ and http://www.levenez.com/unix/

    --
    www.rexguo.com - Technologist + Designer
  66. What is your aunts email address? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think I can get her money back, but I will need her account information first.

  67. Regarding your claim gentlemen! by notque · · Score: 2, Funny

    With all the SCO news lately, it's nice to see something with a bit of humor in it.

    I thought all of the SCO news had humour in it.

    --
    http://use.perl.org
  68. agrreed. by eshefer · · Score: 1

    even though it breaks out of the nigerian scam idiom, it works better in the context of the SCO scam. I vote for the change.

    not that my vote is worth much..

  69. Wellwell.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    ...SEVENTY (70) LINES OF OUR VALUABLE AND PROPRIETARY SOURCE CODES...
    ...UP TO SEVEN IN TEN (70%) OF OUR VALUABLE AND PROPRIETARY SOURCE CODES...


    So 70% of x is 70 lines. Now we know that SCO has also 30 lines of valuable and proprietary source code that is not in linux kernel.

  70. $100,000,000,000 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    nice one.

  71. I read it, but thought... by pr0ntab · · Score: 1

    it sounded a little too much like Verity at times (use of many parantheses when italics would be expected in a real Nigerian scam letter).

    I did like the junk-mail filter throwoff line at the end, however. classic!

    haaop yte jjkqled fora p oopiqjsd. e inyum alssk!

    --
    Fuck Beta. Fuck Dice
  72. Re:Hey, this was my idea and I have posted it twic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's more than funny Slashdot doesn't recognize its own content. The original author gets "modded" 1 for pointing out the real key to this story-- it has recirculated back to its origin.

    Meanwhile, this comment will be "modded" zero (as usual) for posting as AC.

    Remember, to get Mod +5 for funny, try to think of any Bloater Brothers comeback.

  73. not amusing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Too bad that this kind of satire just isn't funny.

  74. Poor Boies by veldstra · · Score: 1

    I guess SCO's lawfirm fell for it, and are now working as hell to see some of the money back...

  75. I hate to put this in perspective... by God!+Awful+2 · · Score: 1

    but if Microsoft was caught using 70 lines of GPL'ed code in Windows, there'd be plenty of people clamoring for $1 billion in damages and for all of Windows to be open sourced.

    -a

  76. Star Wars 419 Scam by jafuser · · Score: 1

    I tried to post it here, but lameness filter would not allow it...

    Star Wars 419 Scam

    "Bah", to the lameness filter, I say.

    --
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