I also found it surprising that scammers devote so little effort to proper spelling/punctuation/grammar.
But then it occured to me: maybe errors help filter out attentive respondents, who have a low chance of completing the whole scam funnel. Those people who don't notice the errors, or don't consider them a red flag, are better leads.
In the context of a cliche'd Nigerian origin, sure, mentioning Nigeria puts anyone familiar with the 419 scam formula on guard. But anyone who does reply is likely a fresh, naive prospect. Ka-ching!
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I thought everyone just assumed that the "Nigerian Prince" thing was a front and it was likely some Eastern European or American behind it all.
I thought the "Nigerian" bit was just to add to the allure or something.
I am surprised that scammers, Nigerian or otherwise, don't know better than to still reference Nigeria in their emails.
I also found it surprising that scammers devote so little effort to proper spelling/punctuation/grammar.
But then it occured to me: maybe errors help filter out attentive respondents, who have a low chance of completing the whole scam funnel. Those people who don't notice the errors, or don't consider them a red flag, are better leads.
In the context of a cliche'd Nigerian origin, sure, mentioning Nigeria puts anyone familiar with the 419 scam formula on guard. But anyone who does reply is likely a fresh, naive prospect. Ka-ching!
This is perceptive. 419 is like any other advertising: if you think it is stupid, you are not in the target market, but someone else is.
Who communicates in all caps? The elderly and the mentally ill. Target market.