Fraud Out of Africa

OF ALL THE SPAM, E-MAIL HOAXES AND OTHER JUNK that floods into my inbox every day, my favorite kind starts with a sob story by some random guy in Africa who weaves a fantastic tale invariably leading to a big stash of money that the author cannot access without my help. If I help, he'll pay me 20%. 

Here's one example and here's another.

The stories are entertaining and the gall is incredible. Even more entertaining is the notion that people actually fall for these obvious cons.

In security circles, they're known as AFF 419. "AFF" stands for advanced fee fraud. The "419" part is the penal code covering this kind of fraud in Nigeria, where it originated. In Nigeria, people just call it "419." Everybody there knows about it. But not everybody outside of Nigeria does, which is why it still works. 

Incredibly, 419 fraud is the fourth largest industry in Nigeria. It's a huge, global scam that millions are exposed to, mostly in Europe and the Americas. 

The stories, sent by e-mail, fax or post, involve either a money laundering or other illegal scheme, or some legal sounding venture. Oftentimes someone has been over invoiced and the money is said to be just sitting there. Other stories involve political intrigue and rich people driven from their country of origin who cannot claim money because of their refugee status, etc. 

At some point, you're asked to pony up some cash as an "advance" fee, tax, bond, credit or some other bogus reason. If you do send money, they'll know they have a sucker on the line and will follow up with tales of complications that require still more cash.

I don't like spam much. And I don't care for con artists. But I really enjoy 419 e-mails. The stories have more complexity and plot line than you'll see in most thrillers at the local megaplex. 

I like them so much I'm starting a collection. If you've received a 419 e-mail, send me a copy! 

WinZip File Opened 'By God's Will'

You probably heard the incredible story of the PC purchased in Kabul, Afghanistan, by a Wall Street Journal reporter that contained enormous quantities of Al Qaeda data files. One file was a memo telling of an easy-to-make nerve gas recipe supplied on a diskette in a WinZip file that the writer said "my neighbor opened ... by God's will." Personally, It never occurred to me to invoke the Will of God when opening Zip files. I usually just use the WinZip application.  

Keep Away Bugs that Suck

A programmer in Thailand has created software that keeps bugs away. No, not software bugs -- mosquitoes! Running the "Anti-Mosquitoes" program produces a sound through your PC speakers that mosquitoes find annoying. (I've found that playing Backstreet Boys MP3s has the same effect, but I can't stand it either.)

Hot New Communications Product

The Finnish company Media Tampere has developed a sauna with a built-in videoconferencing feature. That means you can hold those vital meetings in total discomfort as sweat cascades down your face. It's only a matter of time before some wacky Silicon Valley company installs one of these as a board room. Please -- wear a towel!

Proof You Can Buy Anything on the Web

They make chocolate cell phones that you can buy on the Internet. Unfortunately, the phones don't work. But they do taste awfully good! (Of course, a SprintPCS phone won't work between Silicon Valley and Los Angeles, either -- but I'm not one to nitpick.)

Need help lying to your loved ones? Now you can buy an alibi on the Web! The Ace Alibi company will send you a fake invitation, answer a special phone number, lie to callers for you and generally cover your tracks when you're not where you should be.

Here's a craze that's spreading like the Swine Flu among science geeks: Ties, boxers, T-shirts and hats that feature pictures of contagious diseases. In a sign of the times, The Infectious Awareables site even has new anthrax underwear!

Cell Phone Follies

A robber bumped the "redial" button of his cell phone during a holdup in British Columbia last week, recording the heist and subsequent conversation (mostly about splitting the loot) on somebody's answering machine. The person with the answering machine gave the tape to police, who handed it over to Vancouver-area radio stations. Mounties hope that making the tape public will motivate the victim to step forward and give information about the crime.

The World Wrestling Federation and Qualcomm are working together to bring wrestling oriented content to WWF fans who have cell phones. The services will include WWF games, trivia and even ring tones that mimic entrance music for "The Rock." Personally, I'd prefer that wrestling fans remain "ready to rumble" and keep their phones on vibrate mode.

Shameless Self-Promotion

Longtime readers know I've been a Palm organizer freak for years. Well, I've come to the conclusion that Pocket PC 2002 and the new HP Jornada now beats the Palm hands down. Click here to find out why. 

Listen to Mike's List every week on the Radio! Now Craig Crossman's Computer America features Mike's List content on every show (and I join Craig live on the first broadcast Sunday of every month). You can hear Computer America on your local Business TalkRadio station or over the Internet each Sunday from 1pm to 3pm Silicon Valley Time. Don't miss Computer America!

Ad Creep

It seems that all the opportunities for shooting ads on Earth have been exhausted, so Japanese makers of the disgustingly named beverage "Pocari Sweat" teamed up with the Russian space agency to film a commercial on the International Space Station. Russia pioneered the commercialization of space, and was the first nation in history to sell ad space -- for Pizza Hut -- on one of their rockets. 

Have you seen advertising in a completely new context? Let me know! 

Reader Web Site o' the Week

If you have a PalmPilot, check out reader Mike Rohde's free Palm Tipsheet web site. The site is packed with FAQs, information about Palm books, interviews and more!  

Get YOUR web site on the high-traffic Mike's List Reader Links page. HERE'S HOW! 

Gotta-Get-It Gadget

The USBDrive is a tiny key chain storage unit that holds a gigabyte of data. You simply plug it into your USB drive, and it's connected -- no software installation required. 

Have you seen an amazing new toy? Let me know! 

Wacky Web Sites

HERE'S THE SKINNY - When times are tough, and you have nowhere to turn, this site will give you the Wisdom of the Supermodels! Here's Cindy Crawford on the subject of courage: "They were doing a full back shot of me in a swimsuit and I thought, Oh my God, I have to be so brave. See, every woman hates herself from behind."

ALL YOUR FILES ARE BELONG TO US - If you want to freak out a friend, send them this URL  ( http://barstow.ra-systems.com/hacked.jpg )  and tell them that all the files on their C: drive have been posted on the Internet. (In reality, it's just a trick -- each visitor can see only his or her own files in a browser window.)

THIS GUY MUST BE SICK! - Rune's Barf Bag Collection is a hilarious tribute to all things related to air sickness sacks. The site catalogs 423 different barf bags from 259 airlines. It's enough to make anyone blow chunks. 

TAKE THAT, GRANNY! - "Rest Home Fighter" is a Web-based Shockwave game that pits elderly rest home characters against each other in a pitched battle for the TV remote control. Weapons include walkers, canes, an umbrella and even a razor-sharp pair of knitting needles.

FIGHT LIKE A GIRL - Sissy fight is the latest Web-based action game. The object, according to the site, is to "physically attack and majorly dis your enemies until they are totally mortified beyond belief."

GET TAKEN FOR A RIDE - Sure, you could wait two years and buy an overpriced "Segway" scooter. Or, you could embrace the low-cost alternative -- which is available now. The Megway!

 If you see a really crazy web site: Let me know! 

Last Week's Mystery Pic

No, it's not the Lindows operating system, a "touch-sensitive thermo-environmental window-unit sales tool" or even Bill Gate's finger, as suggested by some readers. It's the finger of Stanford University physicist Paul Kunz pointing to the first-ever U.S. Web site which he created ten years ago on the NeXT computer shown in the photo. Kunz created the site in December of 1991. It included three lines of text, with one link to e-mail and another link to a scientific database. A hearty Mike's List congratulations to Brad Houser for being first with the right answer. 

 Have you seen an amazing, hard-to-identify picture? Let me know!

Mystery Pic o' the Week

What is it? Send YOUR guess to [email protected]. I'll publish in the next issue of Mike's List the name of the person who is first to send me the right answer.  

Mike's List User Manual

If your e-mail address changes (like you, ahem!, @home users out there!), or if you'd like to have Mike's List show up at a different address for whatever reason, it's embarrassingly easy to do. Just click on the "Change" link at the top of this page, then click on the "Click here to change your e-mail address" link and add your new e-mail address to the box on the page. Click the button, and add your old address and click on the button again. It's that simple!