WONDERING WHAT THE widows of brutal dictators get up to in their retirement? Well, making business proposals to complete strangers is just part of the fun, according to one inventive email scammer.

A TheJournal.ie staffer received the below missive purporting to be from Safia Farkash Gaddafi, the second wife of the deceased Libyan leader and the mother of seven of his children. We presume the scammer in question is hoping you don’t notice the Hong Kong email address.

Greetings Dear Friend,

I am the second wife of the Libyan leader Safia Farkash al-Baraasi Gaddafi. I am writing this mail with tears and sorrow from my heart asking for your help at this time, I have passed through pains and sorrowful moment since the death of my husband. I got your contacts through personal research and had to reach you through this medium I decided to contact you on this vital issue.

So far, so good. What can we do for you, Mrs G?

Please, presently I and my entire family have what I will called MY FAMILY LAST RESORT to the tune of U$40 (Forty million United States Dollars) and ready to be TRANSFER to you with the hope that you will invest this funds into any good business in your country, pending when the political turmoil is over. 30% of the total funds will go to you and my son Alaa will come to your country immediately to start up a business with your assistance so we will be able save for raining day.

The chance to go into business with Gaddafi’s son, you say? Just show us where to sign up.

I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of Law and is 100% Risk Free Venture.

Phew.

Please due Kindly indicate your interest in assisting my family by providing the basic information such as Full name, Address, Age, occupation and cell number.

Without a moment’s delay… You can read the full email here.