August 17, 2009

Do they never stop? Another 419.

They're getting sneaker & sneakier I tell you!
This is truly 100% scam free.. really. ;)
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Email: {Email Removed}
Mr. Daniel Grace
Cater Allen Private Bank
Abbey House
9 Nelson Street
Bradford.
BD1 5AN



Dear Friend,


I am Mr. Daniel Grace, the accounting officer-in charge of the private investment section of the above named Finance house. I have decided to contact you on a business transfer that requires confidentiality, trust and transparency, where both of us have a lot to benefit. During my investigation and auditing in the accounts section, my department came across a huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person, a foreigner
who died on January 7, 2004 in an auto crash.


This Fund has been dormant in his account in the private investment dept without any claim to this fund in our custody, either from his family or relation. The said amount is (7.5 million pounds) which is about ($15million US Dollars). As it might interest you to know, I got your contact through international business inquiry and my search for a trust worthy business partner that can handle a business of this magnitude meanwhile all arrangement to put claim to this fund in your name as the bonafide
next of kin to the deceased, and get the required approval to transfer this money to a foreign account, have been put in place


While the next line of action to conclude this transaction in the next 10 working days, will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your interest in this transaction. I must also inform you that upon the completion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 40% for your role and assistance and 40% will also be for me, while the balance will be used to cover any expenses this transaction must have cost to have it successful.



Please, you have been advised to keep this to your self since I am still in service and intend to retire after I conclude this project. I will be monitoring the whole situation here until you confirm the money in your account. I shall come down to the country of your nominated account for subsequent sharing of the Funds according to percentages previously indicated and further investment. Be rest assured that this is deal is 100% trouble and scam free. Please send your reply to this email daniel.grace98@yahoo.com


Yours faithfully,


Mr. Daniel Grace.
Email: {Email Removed}
Tel: {Phone# Removed}

August 15, 2009

Lots of 419's going around these days

So here's yet another 419. I'm having a difficult time coming up with anything OTHER than 419/advance fee scams, but they're all over the place. Here's another one claiming to come from an executive manager with a big-name financial institution.

This one's a little different in that it doesn't really ask for any of your information up front. Mr. John Fisher states his case, claims that it's 100% legal and asks you to contact him.

A little less threatening than the "give me all your bank info" scams, but a scam nonetheless.

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From Mr John Fisher
Fidelity Investment UK


I am Mr John Fisher,I work as the Fund Executive Manager with Fidelity Investment UK, the world leading Investment & Fund Management Institution based in UK/Channel Island.

I have an investor under my portfolio with a closing balance of Forty Two Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy Thousand Dollars ($42.870m), as his first initial deposit.This investor died three years ago leaving no WILL or AUTHORIZATION for Re-transfer of his investment and its proceeds to the NEXT OF KIN.I have personally carried out an investigation on the subject matter that took me 12 months to finalize and was made to understand that the family or relatives of the investor knows nothing about his investment with fidelity and none have any records of all his deposits and investment with us,there by creating an avenue for claiming of the said funds with its accrued interest on presentation of a trustworthy person that can stand as the NEXT OF KIN to the deceased.

If you are interested i can present you as the NEXT OF KIN with proper documentation that will qualify you to have the funds claimed and on doing this,our establishment will not question the release of the funds to you as i will make sure that we comply with the banking laws and ethics of claiming the investment in our establishment.

Our sharing ratio will be 50:50.Please contact me for more details if interested.

Looking forward to hearing from you shortly.

Sincerely.

Mr. John Fisher.
Executive Manager

August 13, 2009

Ooh... a Barrister! (Lawyer to those not in the UK)

This doozie of a 419 scam comes not from Nigeria, but from the office of one Barrister Stephen Lloyd on Cannon Street in London. Notice the emphasized areas of this note (my emphasis, that is). Random sentence fragments, misspelled & cut-off words. Very Professional! Really. I *Truly* want to send you my money... well, I would if I had any to send!

And he has a sixth sense, to boot! wow...

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2-6 Cannon Street
London EC4M 6YH
DX 42609,London

My name is Stephen Lloyd, I'm a lawyer and as you can see from the heading, this mail is written personally for you. Its about my late client whose name is Robert , he was my friend and I was his solicitor until the point of his death, he died unfortunately in an accident alongside with his family.

Just after Robert died, his account officer got in touch with me and asked me to get in touch with any of his relatives both near and extended who could come and stand in as his next of kin to lay claim to his estate, money and etc all valued at nine point eight mill GBP (quite a sum, right)? I set about to do that, I wrote lots of letters to different organizations, embassies and etc so I could locate even one of his relative both near and far but all my efforts seemed to have hit a brick wall and just recently, the board of directors just informed me that I had just 14 days to get someone who can stand in as next of kin or the money would be considered as dormicillary and by that it would then be confisicated all in accordance to the laws of their company with respect to the abandoned property decree of the company. Let me now get straight to the point of my letter, considering the fact that I have been unable for the past eight years to get someone and I haven't been able!
to, I seek your assistance on thi


Now my purpose for doing this is to get this fund for this purpose I seek your assistance because I've been unable for the past eight years to get his next of kin, I know you must also ask what about the legal documents that we will need to get this done, you don't have to worry about that because I have all the needed documents that would make you have the legal right to make this claim before it gets confiscated in the next 14-15 days and so the money can be shared between us, I know there are other persons with the same last name as my late client and I even put up an advertisement for that and I received all sorts of mails and applications but after a little check, my 6th sense told me to use you instead. Can I trust you on this? I will make all necessary documents necessary for you to use to back up your claim. Please contact me by my number below or my alternate email which is (email removed) and also give me your phone and fax numbers because you will apprecia!
te the fact that as at now, consta


I wish you the best.
Barrister Stephen Lloyd,
Phone:+[Phone# Removed].

August 11, 2009

Poor Mr. Buba...

And another 419.. Pardon the caps, but this is how it came to my inbox. I have, however, added paragraph breaks to make this piece of nonsense a little easier to read. Note the attempt at heartstring-tugging by mentioning his impending job loss, his "children" & the pleas for confidentiality.

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PRIVATE EMAIL:[email removed]
DEAR SIR,

MY NAME IS MR IDRIS BUBA OF TELEX/COMPUTER DEPARTMENT OF THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, LAGOS NIGERIA.

I AM SENDING THIS PRIVATE EMAIL BASED ON THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE TRANSACTION. PLEASE, I WILL LIKE TO ADVISE IF AFTER GOING THROUGH MY PROPOSAL AND YOU DO NOT ACCEPT IT, KINDLY KEEP IT TO YOURSELF. AS OF THIS MOMENT, I AM STILL IN SERVICE WITH THE ADB NIGERIA (ADB). AND I WILL NOT BY ANY MEANS LIKE TO LOSE MY JOB, IF YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED. I HAVE PUT IN OVER 23 YEARS IN THIS BANK BUT I DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO SHOW FOR IT.THIS IS JUST MY OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT I GIVE MY CHILDREN A DECENT TRAINING SINCE MY GOVT. WHICH IS CORRUPT HAS REFUSED TO TAKE CARE OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY. INFACT I AM SICK AND TIRED OF EVERYTHING HERE I NEED TO GET OUT. I FOUND OUT THAT YOU ALMOST MET ALL THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS INRESPECT OF YOUR PAYMENT. PLEASE BE EQUALLY ADVISED THAT NO SECURITY COMPANY IN AFRICA CAN HANDLE YOUR CONTRACT PAYMENT/INHERITANCE FUND WITH ANY BANK WITHOUT THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, NIGERIA.

YOUR PROBLEM IS THAT OF INTEREST GROUP IN THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA THAT IS SUPPOSED TO TRANSFER YOUR FUND WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE ADB. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN YOUR PAYMENT AND THAT EXPLAINS WHY YOU RECEIVE EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE EVERYDAY. THEIR WHOLE GAME PLAN IS TO FRUSTRATE YOUIN ORDER FOR YOU TO ABANDON THE CONTRACT PAYMENT AND THEN, THEY WILL BE COMFORTABLE AND FREE ENOUGH TO TRANSFER THE CONTRACT FUNDS INTO THEIR OVERSEAS ACCOUNT. THEIR AIM AND TARGET IS NOT THE MONEY YOU ARE GIVING THEM BUT TO FRUSTRATE YOU. HENCE, YOU HAVE LOST TRUST ON WHOM TO BELIEVE TO BE GENUINE. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THIS MAY LAST FOR YEARS, YET NOTHING HAPPENS. TO SUM IT UP, I WISH TO ASSURE YOU THAT WITH MY POSITION HERE IN THE TELEX DEPARTMENT, I CAN PUNCH THE COMPUTER AND CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT STRAIGHT.

I CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS UNDER FIVE WORKING DAYS. BUT WE HAVE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT. FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE TO LET ME KNOW HOW MUCH YOU WILL GIVE ME AT THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS DEAL.

FINALLY, YOU WILL HAVE TO ACCEPT TO KEEP THIS TRANSACTION STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL IF YOU ACCEPT MY PROPOSAL, KINDLY GET BACK TO ME IMMEDIATELY ON MY

PRIVATE EMAIL:[email removed] CONFIRM YOUR PARTICULARS
ON REPLY.
REGARDS,
MR IDRIS BUBA

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Here's a bit more information about the 419 scams from 419Eater.com.

July 29, 2009

Another 419 Scam...

Yep, another 419 scam. Poor Mr. Ho Chen Tung has no idea what to do, he's asking YOU, a stranger in a strange land, to handle such a huge amount of money....

Yeah. Right.

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Hello,
contact me immediately via email,[{Email Removed}]for more information
with respect to a transfer of $21,300,000.00 to you. this money initially
belongs to a client who died and had no next of kin in his account-opening
package. in order to achieve this, I shall require your full name, and
telephone number to reach you. Most importantly, a confirmation of
acceptance from you after which I shall furnish you with the full details
of this transaction

BE SURE TO CONTACT ME VIA MY PRIVATE EMAIL: {Email Removed}

Please treat as urgent and confidential.

Regards.
Ho Chen Tung

July 27, 2009

They know your firewall's security settings suck...

Most definitely a scam email. DO NOT click on any of the links if you get an email like this. They're most likely viruses, trojans or other general nastiness you don't want on your computer.

If your firewall settings are indeed in need of updating, no link you click in an email will get you anywhere (at least, nowhere you want to go).

The links in this post have been removed for your safety.

------

Firewall Gold Message Center: You may need to update your Firewall security settings as soon as possible:

Press here to update your Firewall security settings or read below for more information:

{Link Removed}

There is a high possibility that your PC's Firewall security settings may become exploited by malicious websites without your knowledge. This could easily lead to the following attacks on your PC's hard drive:

- Unwanted Virus Downloads
- Uncontrollable Trojan horse attacks
- The running of unwanted script programs
- The installation of malicious spyware

If your PC is not protected correctly then these attacks could allow hackers to track your movements across the Internet. It also means that your information, ranging from passwords to credit card numbers, can be stored by sites that you visit. A successful hacker could examine this information and extract it, setting the stage for identity theft, credit card fraud, or worse.

Press here for more information on how to make certain you are protected:

{Link Removed}

Some unknown or untrusted websites use script programs to change your home page, modify your web history, display advertisements, disable your back button, or redirect you to different websites without your consent. Such scripts have also been recently used by Russian hackers to silently install viruses on end-user's computers.

One way to protect your PC is to download this new FIREWALL software program.

Press here to run the Firewall system scan now:

{Link Removed}

July 24, 2009

Princess wants a relationship with ME!! 419 Scam

Dear Friend, Good day and Compliments, I am writing this letter in confidence believing that if it is the wish of God for you to help me and my family, God almighty will bless and reward you abundantly and you would never regret this. I am a female student from University of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou.

I am 25 yrs old. I'd like any person who can be caring, loving and home oriented. I will love to have a long-term relationship with you and to know more about you I would like to build up a solid foundation with you in time coming if you can be able to help me in this transaction.

Well, my lovingly Parents died two Years ago and left I and my junior brother behind. My late father was a king, which our town citizens titled him over sixteen years before his death. I was a princess to him and I am the only person who can take care of his wealth now because my junior brother is still young.

Now am matured to face the life. I know my entire father's wealth. He deposited the sum of USD 7, 300.000 Dollars (Seven Million Three Hundred Thousand US Dollars) in a Security Company here in Burkina Faso in West African Country. Due to my late father position during the lodging of the money he told the security company management the content of the box was gold that belongs to his foreign partner and it was agreed and signed that on his absence the consignment will only be release to his partner by authorization of his only daughter which I am. This money was annually paid into my late fathers account from Shell petroleum development company (SPDC) and chevron Oil Company operating in our locality for the compensation of youth and community development in our jurisdiction.

I don't know how and what I will do to invest this money somewhere in abroad, so that my father's kindred will not take over what belongs to my father and our family, which they were planning to do without my present because I am a female as stated by our culture in the town.

I therefore seek your urgent attention and apply to the security company as my late father business partner and retrieve the box containing the total sum of USD 7, 300.000. I urgently need your humble assistance to move this money from the security company to your bank account that is why I felt happy when I saw your contact because I strongly believe that by the grace of God, you will help me to invest this money wisely.

I am ready to pay 20% of the total amount to you if you help me in this transaction and another 10% interest per Annual after Income to you, for handling this transaction for us, which you will strongly have absolute control over. If you can handle this project sincerely and also willing to assist me in lifting this fund, kindly reach me. Please, note that this transaction is 100% risk free and I hope to commence the transaction as quick as possible, I will send you my Pictures as soon as I hear from you.

Yours Sincerely, Princess Amada

____

This is most definitely a 419, Nigerian or Advance-Fee Scam. Don't bother responding!

Here's a Snopes.com article on the details of how this scam works.

And here's a documentary that ABC aired on this Nigerian scam. It can take many forms, but always involves some wealthy heir or heiress who needs YOUR help transferring untold amounts of money.