Quote from: Databits...seems very authentic but isn't.... This has scam written all over it...So, umm... Does it seem authentic to you, OR does it have scam written all over it?
And, as for "tip offs" the BIG one is that it mentions NIGERIA! These nigerian scams have been going around for long enough that I find it more useful to reference a rich friend in Nigeria than, say, ocean front propery in arizona, or a bridge for sale.
Heh, anyway, no offense Data, but if this is a "new scam" to you, I'd like to know what rock you've been living under. This scam, in one form or another, has been running since the early 80s. It's also known as the 419 scam.
Links, some useful, some funny
http://home.rica.net/alphae/419coal/ Detailed info
http://j-walk.com/other/conf/ Great parody.
http://www.419eater.com/ Baits and then tricks would-be scammers. Some hilarious "trophy shots," but the hall of shame is better.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_fee_fraud The ubiquitus wikipedia article.