I received the following letter today:I urgently need your help. No, this is not one of those Nigerian scam. I am not Nigerian and this is not a scam from someone you have never heard of. I am a victim of unjust persecution. My sons were murdered. I am being held prisoner by barbarian invaders. However, I have an opportunity for escape to freedom, and you can help. At the same time, you can help yourself. There is no risk involved, since I want no money from you. My captors have told me that, if I will give them a large sum of money, they will permit me to 'escape'. In order to ransom myself, I need your help.

I have placed several billion dollars in various Swiss bank accounts. In my present situation, I can not go in person to withdraw money from them. I have only managed to send this E-mail by a small bribe to my captors, who are hoping for more.

I am offering you 10% of my bank deposits in exchange for your assistance in transferring my funds into your accounts. After this has been done, you will send 90% of the money to the home address of the chief of my captors. You can keep the 10% that remains, which is over 200 million dollars. Please, my freedom and my life depend upon your immediate action. Send me your bank account number plus your PIN so that the transfer can begin.

I trust that you have heard of me. Yours,

Saddam Hussein el Tikrit