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Much has been written about the Nigerian scam, a con game that originated using the mail service, and then jumped to email and spread like wildfire. However, there’s a particularly despicable new version of the Nigerian scam now making the rounds.

As the name indicates, the Nigerian scam originated in Nigeria, but it has since become an international phenomenon. The scam has the following hallmarks:

* The author has nowhere else to turn and thinks you can be trusted.

* They own or have come across a large amount of money.

* They are unable to get the money without your help.

* In exchange, you’ll receive a big reward.

* They want to discuss the specifics with you, so please write back ASAP.

* If you write back, you’ll eventually learn that you have to put up money of your own to get your reward. Of course, they’ll just take your money and disappear.

These emails are successful because they push your greed, ego and compassion buttons, but more importantly, because scammers can send out millions of these things for free. Eventually, they’ll find a sucker.

This new version claims to be from an American soldier in Iraq. That makes it especially dangerous and loathsome, since so many Americans are willing to do anything they can for our troops:

How are you and your family? Hope all is well. My name is Staff Sgt. Shelby Cross; I am an American soldier, serving in the military with the army?s 3rd infantry division. with a very desperate need for assistance, i have summed up courage to contact you.

I found your contact particulars in an address journal. I am seeking your kind assistance to move the sum of US$8m [eight million United State dollars] to you in United State; as far as I can be assured that my share will be safe in your care until I complete my service here.

Source of money;

Some money in US dollars were discovered in dog kennels at a farm house and guest houses in  an estate near one of saddam?s old palaces in Baghdad, Iraq during an operation, and it was agreed by Staff Sgt. kenneth Buff, Sgt 1st Class Daniel Van Ess and I that some part of this money be shared amongst us before informing anybody about it. Since both of them saw the money first, they did the informing, while I played the outsider to protect our interest. This was quite an illegal thing to do, but I tell you what? No compensation can make up for the risk we have taken with our lives in this hell hole, in which my brother in-law was killed by a road side bomb last time.

The above figure was given to me as my share, and to conceal this kind of money became a problem for me even after the initial probe of all soldiers of our command which I was cleared from; so with the help of a British contact working here and his office enjoy some immunity, I was able to get the package out to a safe location entirely out of trouble spot. He does not know the real contents of the package, and believes that it belongs to a British/American medical doctor who died in a raid here in Iraq, and before giving up, trusted me to hand over the package to his family in United States. I have now found a much secured way of getting the package out of Iraq to United State for you to pick up, and I will discuss this with you When I am sure that you are willing to assist me, and I believe that my money will be well secured in your hand because you have the fear of God.

I want you to tell me how much you will take from this money for the assistance you will give to me. One passionate appeal I will make to you is not to discuss this matter with anybody, should you have reason to reject this offer, please and please destroy this message as any leakage of this information will be too bad for us soldier?s here in Iraq and tarnish the reputation of other service men. I do not know how long we will remain here, and I have been shot, wounded and survived two suicide bomb attacks by the special grace of God,this and other reasons I will mention later has prompted me to reach out for help, I honestly want this matter to be resolved immediately, please contact me as soon as possible.

God bless you and your family.

Sgt.Shelby Cross.