[Leica] OT: Scams

[tim at KairosPhoto.com (Tim Atherton)]

The LUG has such broad and varied expertise, so I thought I'd ask this here.

Is anyone up on international scams - not even internet, but via good old
mail.

I got a letter from Uganda (second one like this - similar but not exact in
the last two years) Hand written and hand addressed purporting to be from a
young woman finishing teaching college at a church affiliated college.
Mother and father both died of AIDS, younger siblings to look after and
support. Accompanied by a form letter from the college chaplaincy.

I know where they got my name from by the form of address - it's from a
professional directory that is only published in book form, not online. And
it's asking for help towards the princely sum of $250.00 (maybe is was
pounds) to cover college costs. Nothing else offered just altruism.

The first one I eventually threw away.

Obviously the situation and appeal could fit probably hundreds of thousands
of Ugandans. A part of me would like to think it was genuine - while the
logical part of me thinks yep, right, sure - a scam

Anyone come across this? Brian - is this something that's showing up in the
mail boxes of Episcopalians down there?

tim