This is probably one of the first scams ever invented and is also known as The Spanish Prisoner scam. In the past, prisoners used to call or send letters to all the addresses that they could find, explaining that there is a well-hidden treasure, somewhere. They also mention they’re willing to share the contents of the treasure if people will send them money to bribe the prison guards.

How to avoid: it’s amazing how many people get taken in by this. Just in case you receive a letter, phone call, or e-mail of this kind, remember that “Count of Monte Cristo” was just a book, not a real story.