Nigerian Prince
I found a “Nigerian Prince” email in my spam folder today. Every time I delete one of those I cringe just a little bit. Yes, it is a scam. Technically an “Advance-fee scam”. But it is also a biography of some character at a crossroads in their life. Dare I say, a lovingly crafted biography. These fragments of character and identity, deleted so nonchalantly by myself and thousands of others, feel like their brief breath of life somehow deserves more.
It just so happens that I live in a world where many residents spend many hours crafting avatars. Detailing the nuances of appearance, persona, and identity.
Who lives on the other side of Miss Monica Smith’s email address? An ugly scammer? Or an innocent victim of cyberspace human trafficking?
Miss Monica Smith Avatar Design Challenge
And so today’s challenge for the crafters of avatars is to craft what you think Miss Monica Smith would look like. You can:
- Shape & Dress an avatar and post images on Flickr
- Write a short story about Miss Monica Smith on your blog
- Create an avatar and take her for adventures in SL
How to share:
- For photos I’ve created a flickr group: https://www.flickr.com/groups/miss-monica-smith/
- For blog posts, list the link to your post in the comments below
- And for sure, I’d love to meetup with Miss Monica Smith in-world!
Miss Monica Smith’s Letter
Below is the full text of Miss Monica Smith’s email letter to me. The links to “her” Email, Contact Information & Fill Out This Form are live. You probably do not want to click them. The “Contact Information” link and the “Fill Out This Form” link both go to the same Google Form which has 5 simple questions: Name, Email, Address, Phone, Comments. Don’t click! Unless you really want to.
| Greetings I am the only Daughter of my late parents Mr and Mrs Nelson Smith. My father was a highly reputable business man who operated in the capital of Ivory coast during his days. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad on the 12th September 2010. Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who traveled with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 6yrs old, and since then my father took me so special. Before his death on September 2010, he called me and informed me that he has the sum of Five Million, Seven Hundred thousand United State Dollars.(USD$5,700,000.00)left in fixed deposit account in one of the leading banks in Africa. He further told me that he deposited the money in my name, and also gave me all the necessary and legal documents to this fund with the bank. I am just 21 years old and a university undergraduate and really don’t know what to do. Now I want an account overseas where I can transfer this funds and after the transaction I will come and reside permanently in your country till such a time that it will be convenience for me to return back home if I so desire. This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Ivory coast. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. I also want to invest the fund under your care because I am ignorant of business world. I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask these few questions: 1. Can you honestly help me from your heart? 2. Can I completely trust you? 3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the money is in your account? Please, consider this and get back to me as soon as possible. Immediately I confirm your willingness, I will send to you my Picture and also inform you more details involved in this matter. Please you can contact me here on my private email address monicasmith291@gmail.com Kind Regards, Miss Monica Smith |
| Contact information |
| FILL OUT FORM |
Can’t resist this one, Van! Love this question: “What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the money is in your account?”
Well, okay, how about 90% of the money? Or maybe I can let you take some money from my account that would be good for you? Yes? If so, enclosed you’ll find my checking account number, user id and password. Please take how much you think would be good for you. Tra-la-la, Your new friend in ‘Meerica. PS: Please don’t take too much of my money, just what is good for you.