I know this isn’t directly related to writing, but I’m going to ask a question. But first look at the follow text:
***The New Year Award***
British Online [info@live.co.uk]
Dear lucky winner,
We happily announce to you the new year draw (1068) of the UK NATIONAL LOTTERY,online sweepstakes International program held on the 6th of January 2010. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 56475600545188 with Serial number 5368/02 drew the lucky numbers:07-10-22-24-34-44 (Bonus number 18).You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of £2,532,137 (Two million, Five hundred and Thirty Two Thousand, One Hundred and Thirty Seven pounds sterling).
To file for your claim, fill the winner verification form below and forward to the fudiciary agent immediately via email.
Agents Name:Hughes Stanford
Email: claimsdirector29@sify.com
Phone: +44-703-192-6694 Fax: +44-702-407-2356
VERIFICATION AND FUNDS RELEASE FORM
Full Name.
Contact Address.
Nationality.
Sex.
Telephone Number.
Occupation.
Once again congratulations…
Cordially,
Sir George Arisson
Online Co-ordinator
***********
So, okay, here is my question. Do people in England, Austria, India, Pakistan, and all points in between receive similarly cockamamie e-mails offering equally preposterous scenarios? Are they offers to transfer funds from American banks to their bank accounts if they provide every piece of personal data about themselves, except the size of their bicuspids?
I’ve received offers from the widows of deposed Africa rulers, to royalty whose family line has petered out and the last living heir wants to share the wealth with the closest distant relative, and I’m it by some Darwinian fickle finger of fate.
I was disabused years ago of my illusion that Chinese fortunes in Chinese fortune cooks were a Chinese tradition and that they came from some Chinese equivalent of the Ancient Greek Oracles. It is an American twist and the fortunes are written primarily by two small groups, and they have even done market research trying to find out what sort of “fortunes” people want to read. Hence, you now get fortunes that read: “True happiness is what you make of it.” Or, “Smile and you will enjoy the world more.” Nothing too cryptic. Nothing bad.
And what does that have to do with e-mails promising fortunes for little effort? Nothing, except in both cases you will probably walk away with less than you started with if you put too much faith in already being a winner when you’ve done almost nothing to earn it.
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