Wednesday, December 7 12:00 AM ET

BBspot Mailbag

Now you too can enjoy my Inbox without the annoying spam. Every week I get some amazing e-mail. Some amazing because of the sheer cluelessness of the sender, some because of the time and energy that went into crafting them and some are just simply amazing.

BBelievers

One reader is concerned by all the Nigerian Billionaire BBelievers...

From: Peter
Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2005 7:34 AM
To: briggsb@bbspot.com
Subject: Esenam Ayele BBeliever

Brian

I've been a reader of BBspot for a number of years now, as I find it an entertaining site.

I enjoy reading the BBspot Mailbag as a guilty pleasure, because it can be entertaining seeing people taken in by some of the more outrageous stories.

However the most recent reply to the Esenam Ayele story was difficult for me to read. It's one thing laughing at people getting sucked into a false story, but yet another to read about a persons misfortune as entertainment.

Of course it is your site to publish what you like and my choice to read it or not. I simply wanted to let you know my thoughts as a long time reader.

I agree. Some of these e-mails are just painful to read. I'll try to just post the ones that are funny. Speaking of that...

From: xxxxxx@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 1:57 PM
To: briggsb@bbspot.com
Subject: Nigerian millionaire

I've tried everything to get capital for our business. My fiancee and I both came out of financial and emotionally devastating relationships, 5 yrs we've struggled and are now just a few steps away from starting our own business. <sad story snipped> I don't know if I'm even writing the right person for the right reason, but I figured it sure couldn't hurt. Thank You for reading this

Then a few minutes later I received this follow up message...

Forget my last e-mail I just read this is a scam and it makes me sick.

Wait, it's not a scam. He just doesn't exist to give you money.

From:xxxxx@PattonBoggs.com
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 5:43 PM
To: briggsb@bbspot.com
Subject: Society of Charitable African Millionaires

I recently came across an article by you regarding the above mentioned group. I'd like to get in contact with them regarding assistance with my son's college tuition.

Could you please forward to me an e-mail or website?

thanks

The acronym wasn't a dead give away?

There were a few other sad stories looking for money from Esenam this week, but I decided not to post them. Let's move on to an oldie, but a goodie...

From: Shawn
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 9:36 AM
To: briggsb@bbspot.com
Subject: Just a Question

Hi, I was just wondering.

Is there any truth to this story? or is it a joke. The story in question is located at http://bbspot.com/News/2000/6/php_suspend.html

Kind of far fetched, but as a tech I could see this happening.

Anyways, thanks in advance for a speedy response.

I love the people who think it's a joke, but have to email just to be sure.

Now onto a BBeliever for the "Microsoft's Anti-Spyware Software Removes Internet Explorer" story...

From: Hodgson
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 12:31 PM
To: briggsb@bbspot.com
Subject: Microsoft's Anti-Spyware Updated program has not removed Internet Explorer from my comupter!

The Microsoft updated Anti-Spyware program has not removed Internet Explorer from my computer. I was prompted by Microsoft's Anti-Spyware program and on another system and it has been working fine. Internet Explorer has not been removed form my system nor the other.

I told him he was one of the unlucky ones. He probably didn't get it.

Lastly, one site BBelieves our PS3 launch story. Here's a screen capture...

You can believe everything on the Internet!

That's all for this week!