Here at Ecotech Services we pride ourselves in limiting the use of non-renewable resources.  The big one of course is fossil fuels, particularly petroleum, so when I got a spam email inviting me to invest in a petroleum project I had to laugh.

Attn: Dear Friend,

My name is Nour El Deen Nabil a staff in the National petroleum 
agency of Sao Tome and Principe but originally from Arab Republic 
of Egypt; I secured a crude oil lifting license from the National 
Petroleum Agency (STP-NPA) where I work.

Nour, I don’t know you from a bar of soap and if I did, and if you are an actual person, you would not be my friend.  I don’t befriend spammers and scammers.

Due to my position in the Petroleum Agency, I cannot handle this 
project alone; you have all the qualities needed for this project.

Flattery will get you nowhere with me. And so how do you know that I have all of the qualities that you need? What about money? Do you think I have a few hundred million to throw at this project?

All we need do to are these:

1. We have to officially register a company with the Sao Tome and 
Principe Petroleum Agency, which shall serve as our lifting company 
as to enable us make use of this lifting license.

2. I will ensure that all lifting procedures are in place and buyers
 readily available.

3. You stand in as the license operator for all the lifting and 
sales transactions,

If accepted we can start working on this project, I know oil 
business may not be your line of business but I will handle and 
manage this project and also make sure that I guide you on what to 
do at any given time.

Oh, that is all we need to do? That makes it all ok then. And yes , you are right.  The oil business is not my line of business so I will need your help.

Don't forget to furnish me with your private phone and fax numbers 
for easier communication amongst us.

Ok. I will get that off immediately.

Thank you my Dear Friend.