From the British site Empireonline.com:
Ben Stiller has signed on to direct Help Me Spread Goodness, a film that is essentially Nigerian Prince Email Scam: The Movie. But the official title is much better.
The movie will revolve around a Chicago banker who falls foul of one of those infamous internet scams involving a beleaguered Nigerian prince who only needs your bank details in order to give you LOTS OF CASH.
Quite frankly, Empire is still amazed by the number of people who fall for this extremely well-publicised con job. We cottoned on to the scheme somewhere around the fourth or fifth time someone tried it on us. OK, maybe it was the sixth.
But it’s still a very famous con, and it was probably only a matter of time before a movie appeared. However, don’t be fooled by Stiller’s commitment to direct – the movie will be a drama, albeit with some comedic overtones, and will spend quite a bit of time highlighting the plight of people in countries such as Nigeria.
That way, the movie will fulfil the remit of Participant Media, the company which is funding the movie, without recourse to deposed princes, and which has vowed only to make movies that touch on relevant and modern issues.
Go here to read the complete story.
This article appears in Apr 28 – May 5, 2009.
From Miss Marram Mohammed.
Abidjan. Cote D’Ivoire,
Hello Dear,
With profound respect and humble submission, I beg to state the following few lines for your kind consideration, I hope you will spare some of your valuable minutes to read the following appeal with sympathetic mind. I must confess that it is with great hopes, joy and enthusiasm that I write you this mail which I know and believe by the faith that it must surely find you in good condition of health. My name is Miss Marram Mohammed, I am the only Daughter of my late parents Mr.and Mrs Dandy Mohammed. My father was a highly reputable business magnet who operated in the capital of Ivory coast during his days.
It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad on the 20th May 2007. Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of mine who travelled with him at that time. But GOD knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 6yrs old, and since then my father took me so special.
Before the death of my father on May 2007, he called me and informed me that he has the sum of Ten Million, Five Hundred thousand United State Dollars.(USD$10,500,000.00) he deposited in a private Bank here in Abidjan Cote D’Ivoire.. He told me that he deposited the money in my name, and also gave me all the necessary legal documents regarding to this deposit with the Bank
I am just 20 years old and a university undergraduate and really don’t know what to do. Now I want an honest and GOD fearing partner overseas who I can transfer this money with his assistance and after the transaction I will come and reside permanently in your country till such a time that it will be convinient for me to return back home if I so desire. This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Ivory coast. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. I also want to invest the fund under your care because I am ignorant of business world.
I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask these few questions:
1. Can you honestly help me from your heart?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the fund has being transfeered to your account and i come over to meet you ?
Please, consider this and get back to me as soon as possible. Immedaitely I confirm your willingness, I will send to you my Picture and also inform you more details involved in this matter.
Anticipating hearing from you soon.
Kind Regards,
Miss Marram Mohammed,