I am often the target of unusual spam – people who contact me wishing to do a PhD in Australia, usually specifying USyd. Now, this is unusual, because at no point on any of my email addresses would it suggest I was in anyway involved. Today, however, was one to top them all:
Dear professor,
Iam very pleased to write you, iam student and i receivd Master in biology and pharmacology at University of Abobo-Adjame in COTE D’IVOIRE/ Africa.But i want to up grade my education in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at your University.Please ,may you help me to find someone to direct or to be my supervisor?
As remender i have a drugstore where i give some cares to patients suffering from many diseases such AIDS, CANCER .With all results , iam sure , i will receive NOBEL PRIZE , but i wish that will be at our university.Thanks for your grateful.
Irie bi Tra Olivier
01Bp 13290 Abidjan 01/COTE D’IVOIRE
Home phone : (225)20379805
Work phone : (225)20379808
Private phone (225)08896308/66457234
E-mail: ibitraol@yahoo.com
iritrao@yahoo.com
So, as far as I can tell, that is not a valid address, but 225 is the country code for the Ivory Coast. Now, their desires are noble, and USyd has had its fair share of Nobel Laureates, as well as wanting to help with AIDS, CANCER. But, the clincher is me being referred to as Professor. I’m not even a Dr yet!
