If people have a tremendous inner desire for such a miraculous windfall (and figure life owes it to them for some reason) it can lead them far astray. My father is one such. Although he has received numerous of these scams, and is certainly aware that they are scams, he still couldn't resist following up on one, just in case of that hoped-for windfall! It led to repeated communications with various mysterious people, one of whom he finally arranged a meeting with in New York City while there on other business. The meeting turned out to be a total waste of time. The upshot of it was, they never got any real money out of him (as far as I know), but they did succeed in wasting quite a bit of his time and energy. Plus, they just would not go away! Once these sharks get a scent of blood they are very persistent. The last Email they sent that I saw began with..."Mr ------, ARE YOU COMPLETELY INSANE???!!!" (presumably for turning away from their incredibly generous once-in-a-lifetime offer with its ridiculously simple requirements). That's not what I call a smart sales technique...

He could've replied, "No, I'm just greedy and want something for nothing...same as you!"

I think they finally gave up after that one.

- LH