From: Frank Galoof <frogdr_at_ranapipens.net>
This scam has popped up on humanities lib lists as a means
to get libraries to buy books via faculty suggestions.
Here is how it works:
A person emails a faculty member claiming to be a former student.
The former student has published a book and asking the faculty member
to examine the book and also to ask their library to
order it. The faculty member can't remember all the
students they every had, fumbles to recall, wants
to be cordial, responds "Good Show!" and send the
request on their library. Here is the text of one
that arrived here....
-- Original Message -----
From: Dr_Who
Date: Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Subject: Collection of Stories
To: Prof_X_at_abc.edu
>
> Dear Professor X,
>
> I'm not sure whether you will remember me, but many years ago I
> was a literature student of yours (before a family emergency
> necessitated I return to [somewhere far away]). Since then, I've
> been concentrating on writing short stories; and I'm pleased to
> be able to say that your tuition has borne fruit: my first
> collection of stories, which won top prize in the well-regarded
> [XYZed Book Prize] competition last year, has just been
> published by [Onanism Publications]. I hate to ask, but is
> there any chance of your ordering a copy of the collection for
> the university's library? I need the book to be a financial
> success if OP is to consider any more of my manuscripts. The
> book is available from suppliers and on Amazoodle.com; just enter
> as a search text "xyzed and Who". You will also be
> able to read on the site one of its stories, details of the
> competition I won, and a very perceptive review.
>
> I trust you are well.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Phawning Phoney Phormer Student
Received on Tue Nov 02 2010 - 03:02:10 EDT