We ’ve all received that email at least once before . A kind prince / princess / spambot in Nigeria has millions of one dollar bill , and better yet , they want to split it with you . Just hand over your societal security code and wait for them to arrive on American dirt . As the above paper cut short shows , these types of scam were going on even before email get around — in this case , as early as 1876 .
You see , newspapers are what your forefathers used to translate Tweets . This particular one , The Alamance Gleaner , amount with a warning on Tuesday , March 7 about a late scam meant in which “ wealthy New York grocers ” would snag money from unsuspicious country farmers . The launching reads :
Here is one of the latest swindles . A Country grocer receives a letter state that , from his name , he may peradventure be a cousin-german of the author , who , should such be the case , is willing to make him a proposition . This long lose cousin in New York has $ 9,000 Charles Frederick Worth of grocery , on which he wish to realize at once . They shall be transport at once , and the country cousin will be able to sell them at 15 percent , under the market price , keep one - third of the amount and forward the balance , the relative in the country to pay all expense of the sales agreement .
In case the offer is accepted , there are a amount of storage and cartage fees to be paid , it turn out , afterwards of course . The money is perhaps sent and then all the merchant has to do is to await the reception of the goods . He must not get impatient if his cousin in New York has n’t sent them , for he may yet have to wait a very long clip .
Looks like our generous Nigerian helper has some American ancestors after all .
[ H / T@YAppelbaum ]
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