Nigeria Scam

Years ago I devised a method to cut off communication from the Nigerian scammers. I sent this message in answer to their solicitation:

"If this is legitimate, send me $100-500 US which I will use to open a bank account in our names. Also send a letter authorizing me to withdraw (the percentage of the fund offered to me) and when the fund is open, wire the fund to me."

I never hear back.

I never hear back.

Until it's a scammer who doesn't read responses, in which case he will send you the next scripted email (some don't read the responses, they just take a reply as encouragement to proceed).

This response also probably would not work with a check scammer--if you send that to a scammer who also deals with fake checks, they will be happy to provide a check for you to deposit--and some scammers love to create fake letters and certificates!

In general, though, a response like that tells the scammer that you are either suspicious or aware it is a scam. Most scammers who actually read their responses will generally avoid people who are clearly suspicious or too demanding in the beginning, as they know their chances of getting any money are greatly reduced. There's no harm in that response, but it takes less time on your part to trash the email, adjust your spam filters, and not respond to the scammer at all.