Let's share the blessing.

Are you sitting comfortably?  Then I'll begin.  Once upon a time there was a man called Zaohang Lin.  He lived in China.  He had a client.  A rich client.  

And I'm sure you can guess the rest, right down to the nasty accident and the lack of next of kin. Just ignore Mr Lin, he doesn't have any money to give you - he just wants to get his hands on your money.  Delete the email and don't reply. 

Dear Associate,

Thank you for giving me your time. Please be patient and read my email to
you.

I am presently the manager of the Bank of China, Shenzhen branch. Prior to
this position, I was attached to Private Banking services. I am contacting
you concerning an investment placed under our banks management 4 years
ago; you are contacted independently out of investigation in the bank. I
would like to intimate you with certain facts that I believe would be of
interest to you.

In the year 1998, a certain Mr. Robert Rice came to our bank to engage in
business discussions with our Private Banking Services Department. He
informed us that he had a financial portfolio of 30 million United States
dollars, which he wished to have us invest on his behalf. I was the
officer assigned to his case; I then proceeded to provide numerous
suggestions and advise in line with my duties as the de-facto Chief
Operations officer of the Private Banking Services Department, especially
given the volume of funds he wished to put into our bank. We met on
numerous occasions prior to any investments being placed. I encouraged him
to consider various growth funds with prime ratings. The favored route in
my advice to customers is to start by assessing data on 600 traditional
stocks and bond managers and alternative investments. Based on my advice,
we spun the money around various opportunities and made very attractive
profits margins during our first months of operation; the accrued profit
and interest at this point stood at over 34.5 million United States
dollars. He desired low risk and guaranteed returns on investments, and as
such we could not utilise the full potential of the funds.

On November 6, 2001, he requested disinvestments and directed that the
funds be deposited in a Fixed (Numbered) Deposit account in my branch for
12 calender months. His instructions were precisely followed to the latter
and all the funds recalled from the active market and deposited. Upon
maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got
no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from
his contract employers, the Chinese Solid Minerals Corporation that he
died from an automobile accident. On further investigation, I found out
that he died without making a WILL, and all attempts to trace his next of
kin was fruitless.

I therefore made further investigation and discovered that he did not
declare any kin or relations in all his official documents, including his
Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This money is still sitting in my Bank
and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of
each year. No one will ever come forward to claim it. According to Laws of
Republic of China, at the expiration of 6 (six) years, the money will
revert to the ownership of the Chinese Government if nobody applies to
claim the fund. What I wish to relate to you will smack of unethical
practice but I want you to understand something. It is only an outsider to
the banking world who finds the internal politics of the banking world
aberrational. The world of private banking especially is fraught with huge
rewards for those who occupy certain offices and oversee certain
portfolios. You should have begun by now to put together the general
direction of what I am proposing. Consequently, my proposal is that I will
like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to the man so that
the fruits of this old man's labor will not get into the hands of some
corrupt government officials. This is simple, I will like you to provide
immediately your full names and address so that the attorney will prepare
the necessary documents and affidavits that will put you in place as the
next of kin.

We shall employ the services of an attorney for drafting and tarization of
the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents and letter of
probate/administration in your favor for the transfer. A bank account in
any part of the world that you will provide will then facilitate the
transfer of this money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin. The money
will be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio of 50% for me
and 50% for you.

There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be
done by the attorney and my position as the Branch Manager guarantees the
successful execution of this transaction. If you are interested, please
reply immediately to this email: zaolin5050@yahoo.com.hk

I am aware of the consequences of this proposal. I ask that if you find no
interest in this project that you should discard this mail. I am not doing
anything against good conscience. I know that this may be hard for you to
understand, but the dynamics of my industry dictates that I make this
move. Such opportunities only come once in a lifetime. I am a family man
and this is an opportunity to provide them with new opportunities. There
is a reward for this project and it is a task worth undertaking. I have
evaluated the risks and the only risk I have here is from you refusing to
work with me and alerting my bank. I am the only one who knows of this
situation, good fortune has blessed you with a name that has planted you
into the center of relevance in my life. Let's share the blessing.

Do not betray my confidence. If we can be of one accord, we should plan a
meeting, soon. Please observe utmost confidentiality, and rest assured
that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I
shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country.

Thanks and regards.

Zaohang Lin.