It appears the Nigerian 419-type scam has invaded Iraq, and its using American soldiers as the bait and hook. Our spam filters are picking up this new form of trash that will definitely play on Americans patriotism and their support for their troops.

Here is the email content:

From: Lt. Nicholas Hamiltom <hamilton015@att.net>
Cc: <recipient list not shown>
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 11:14 PM
Subject: Urgent,pls get back to me ASAP

Hello,
Please read the proposal i have put in the attachement and get back to me ASAP.
I have also attached my official US military ID so that you can identify me properly.

Regards,
Lt. Nicholas Hamilton
Private and secured e-mail: nick_hamilton01@hotmail.com

This message contains 2 attachments:
1. A text message with the usual promise of riches (full message content below)
2. A photo ID card that apparently belongs to the sender/soldier mentioned in the message

The my proposal.txt file is:

Hello,

How are you doing? Please do not be embarrassed about my unsolicited e-mail to you. I am in need of your assistance. My name is Nicholas Hamilton,a West Point Graduate and a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army currently serving at the Engineering Unit of US Military here in Baqubah in Iraq; we have about $3.7 Million that we want to move out of the country. This money was found in boxes some time ago during our routine raid around the base.

I need a good partner out there, someone I can trust to receive the funds on my behalf. You have nothing to be afraid of as the money is not illegal and i have a good worked out plans to get it to you.
The most important thing is; Can I Trust you?

Once the funds get to you, simply take out 20% as your share and keep the remaining 80% for us. Your own part of this deal is to find a safe place where the funds can be sent to, ours is sending it to you safely.

Also you can view this news Link for proper verification http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

If you are interested I will furnish you with more details upon receipt of your response and contact details. But I can assure you the whole process is simple and we must keep a low profile at all times.

I look forward to your reply and co-operation.I have kept this money for so long but right now that President Barrack Obama is serious about moving us (the last troop) out this 2011 as against the planned June 2013, I need to get this cash out ASAP.
I have attached my official military ID card for you to know me in person.
Reply me at lt.nicholas_hamilton@hotmail.com

Regards,
Lt. Nicholas Hamilton
Private and secured e-mail: lt.nicholas_hamilton@hotmail.com

And the Nicholas Hamilton ID.jpg badge:

We haven’t checked the validity of the ID card and whether Nicholas Hamilton actually exists. The question is: how did the scammers get possession of it? Presumably this is just the first wave, and other soldiers names and ID cards will be used (or faked) in the near future.