How to make a million

One of the pleasures of being an eminent blogger is the deluge of letters and emails from agents, publishers and, more recently, business proposals from international entrepreneurs the world over. The following has brightened up my evening. I thought I would share it with you:

From: Silas Steve
Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire
West Africa.

Tel: +22507359487


My Dear Crippen,

Permit me to inform you of my desire of going into business relationship with you. I got your name and contact from the Ivorian chamber of commerce and industry. I prayed over it and selected your name among other names due to its esteeming nature and the recommendations given to me as a reputable and trust worthy person that I can do business with and by the recommendation , I must not hesitate to confide in you for this simple and sincere business.

I am Silas Steve the only son of late Mr and Mrs Steve Oga. My father was a very wealthy cocoa merchant in Abidjan the economic capital of Ivory Coast, my father was poisoned to death by his business associates on one of their outings on a business trip.

My mother died when I was a baby and since then my father took me so special. Before the death of my father on 24th Sept. 2005 in a private hospital here in Abidjan he secretly called me on his bed side and told me that he has the sum of sixteen million, five hundred thousand United State Dollars. US ($16.500, 000) left in fixed / suspense account in one of the prime bank here in Abidjan, that he used my name as his only son for the next of Kin in depositing of the fund. He also explained to me that it was because of this wealth that he was poisoned by his business associates. That I should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice where I will transfer this money and use it for investment purpose such as real estate management or hotel management. Dear Crippen I am honourably seeking your assistance in the following ways:

(1) To provide a bank account into which this money would be transferred into.
(2) To serve as a guardian of this fund since I am only 22years.
(3) To make arrangement for me to come over to your country to further my education and to secure a resident permit in your country.

Moreover, Dear Crippen, I am willing to offer you 15% of the total sum as compensation for your effort/ input after the successful transfer of this fund into your nominate account in overseas.

Furthermore, you indicate your options towards assisting me as I believe that this transaction would be concluded within Seven (7) days you signify interest to assist me.
Please make sure that you reply me today

Anticipating to hearing from you soon.

Thanks and God bless.

Best regards,


Silas Steve

It was my intention to draft a reply this evening but sadly Mrs Crippen tells me it is my bath night. So I pass this exciting opportunity on to whoever may be interested. But do not delay. Wat Tyler will snap it up as soon as he sees it.

What a joy!


Illustration : Novelty Currency