CONGRATULATION!!!!

Just got off IM with Sara, after two & a half hours of witty repartee, to find the latest incarnation of the Nigerian letter in my spambox:

From: claimsagent7080@netscape.net

(Somebody good with computers help me here... what's the REAL email address so I can spam the spammer right back?)

To: claimsagent7080@netscape.net
Subject: CONGRATULATION!!!!

(I don't trust anyone who doesn't know it's "congratulations".)

Date: Feb 12, 2005 12:52 AM

(Huh? What is a business doing, writing me at 12:52 AM on a Saturday (their time, I'm assuming).)

GLOBAL FREE LOTTO COMPANY INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT.
WINNING NUMBERS:37-13-43-85-67-11.BV

(These are not my numbers! My numbers are 12-46-18-pi-square root of 47!!)

REF:S6376527711
BATCH:S7151085135

(Like I'd really remember those??)

Attn:Winner

(Do they send out Attn:Loser letters as well?)

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International
programs held on the 27TH/01/2004. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number
653164251591-6011 with serial number 7321410,batch number\ S7151085135,lottery ref
number S6376527711 and drew lucky numbers 37-13-43-85-67-11.BV which consequently
won in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out
of $1.800,000.00 (One Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars)

(US? Sterling? Canadian??)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

(Ok, they got it right here.)

Due to mix up of some numbers and names,

[(Imagine the sound of screeching brakes) Wait a minute! Do I really trust these guys now???]

we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money Remitted to you.
This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse
of this program by some participants. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 40,000 company and 20,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world.
This promotional program takes place every year. This lottery was promoted and sponsored by Association of software producers. We hope with part of your winning,you

(They give out some much in this lottery, they can't afford spaces between words.)

will take part in our next year US$20 million international lottery.For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is a part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements.

Please be warned.
To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent with the below details
for processing of your claims:
Mr. Rook Van Nas
Chief financial Director

(Can't afford a capital F?)

The Free lotto Company
TEL:+447040114110
FAX:+447040114112
Email:info_freegloballotto@yahoo.co.uk

Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 2ND MARCH,2005.After this date
all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.

Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember
to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence.

Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as
possible.

Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part
of our promotional program.

Note:
Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.

Yours faithfully,
Mrs Laura Anderson.
AFRO-ASIAN Zonal Coordinator

(Ah. Used the capital F here. AFRO-ASIAN?? Odd combination, if you ask me.)

Promotions Manager.

(Yeah, okay, so this isn't really funny. But when you've just spent two & a half hours talking with a very erudite person, it can strike you as odd to get CONGRATULATION!!!! in your mailbox.)

In other news, I have found my son's adoptive mother, and made contact. She was misplaced (well, to me, anyway) for a number of years, having moved to Pennsylvania from Texas when Paul was somewhere around 11 years old. He's now almost 20, and a sophomore at LaSalle University, studying Latin. I was interesting in hearing from her, since Brighid was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last year, and Paul was diagnosed with AS at the age of 6 or 7. It can by trying, at times, dealing with my youngest daughter, so I thought I'd look up the mother of my son to see if she had any tips.

Well, I'd write more, but I've got to spend a penny, then lay down for a while. My shoulder is hurting (don't know why), and I'm tired.