419 scam: "of First National Bank of South Africa (FNB)" <info@gala.net> FROM: Mr.Ed Grondel

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "first national bank" (not involved with lotteries)
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "ed_grondel@gala.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "ed_grondel@gala.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +27837428858 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "of First National Bank of South Africa (FNB)" <info@gala.net>
Reply-To: <ed_grondel@gala.net>
Date: Sat, 1 Aug 2009 20:28:26 +0200
Subject: FROM: Mr.Ed Grondel

FROM: Mr.Ed Grondel
Johannesburg South Africa
Mobile: + 27-83-742-8858
Email:ed_grondel@gala.net

Attention: Good Friend,

I am Mr. Ed Grondel the chief accountant of First National Bank of South Africa (FNB) a division of FirstRand Bank limited South Africa I am making this contact with you based on the need for an individual/company who is willing to assist me with a solution to a money transfer.
First and foremost, I apologized using this medium to reach you for a transaction/business of this magnitude, but this is due to Confidentiality and prompt access reposed on this medium. In unfolding this proposal, I want to count on you, as a respected and honest person to handle this transaction with sincerity, trust and confidentiality. I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the execution of the deal described hereunder for the benefit of all parties and hope you will keep it as a top secret because of the nature of this transaction.

There is an account opened in this bank in 1997 and till 2003 nobody has operated on this account again after going through some old files in the records, I discovered that if I do not remit this money out urgently it would be forfeited for nothing. The owner of this account is MR.SHEU YUANG DONG, a foreigner, and a miner at Kruger Gold Company, a Geologist by profession and he died since February 16, 1998. No other person knows this account or anything concerning it, the account has no other beneficiary and my investigation proved to me as well that this company does not know anything about this account and the money involved is USD25,000,000.00 (Twenty Five Million United Dollars Only).
I want us to first transfer USD10 Million from this money into your safe overseas account before the rest and this is to avoid any breach of law to both Countries.

Please View this website: This site is the Taiwan air crash in which MR.SHEU YUANG DONG was found dead in February 16, 1998. http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9802/16/taiwan.crash.update2 I am seeking your assistance as a foreigner, since as civil servant i am not allowed to operate foreign accounts. Should you be willing to assist in this transaction your share as compensation will be USD10,000,000.00 (40%), while I will receive USD15,000.000.00 (60%).
The business is completely safe and secure, provided you treat it with utmost confidentiality. It does not matter also your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction.I have reposed confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me.

Kindly notify me by sending your secured mobile phone and fax numbers for further details upon your acceptance of this proposal.

Thank you in anticipation of your co-operation.

Regards,

Mr.ED Grondel.
Mobile: +27-83-742-8858
Email:ed_grondel@gala.net

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam