419 scam: "Morgan Martinez"<morgan@auditingfirm.com> Please Read and Understand.

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +447947231709
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- morganmartinez92@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Morgan Martinez" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <morganmartinez92@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2010 05:15:56 -0700
Subject: Please Read and Understand.

Dear Prospective Partner,
My name is Morgan Martinez, I trained and work as an external auditor for a major bank(name witheld) working as part of a bigger team that covers the entire Europe region. I had taken pains to find your contact through a random web search using the deceased surname.
On routine audit check last year, I discovered some investment accounts that had been dormant for at least twelve years. All the accounts belong to a single/one account holder with monies totaling a little above 12.5 million United States Dollars. Now banking regulation/legislation in England demand that I do notify the fiscal authorities after a statutory time span of twelve years when dormant accounts of this type are called in by the Financial Monetary Regulatory bodies.
The above set of facts underscores my reason of writing and proposing to you. My investigations of the said account reveals that the investor, a American had died in 1998-the exact time the account was last operated. I can confirm with certainty that the said investor is deceased and no next -of -kin to his estate has been found or has come forward all these years.
I am of the settled conviction that using my insider leverage, I, working with you can secure the funds in the account for us instead of allowing it pass as unclaimed funds into the coffers of the British Government . This is especially possible as you bear the same LAST NAME to the said investor. This exactly is why I crave your participation and co-operation. I am seized with all relevant documents (legal and Banking) that will facilitate our putting you forward as the claimant/beneficiary of the funds and ultimately transfer the money to an account to be nominated by you.
Of course you shall be handsomely rewarded for your part in this transaction as the people I am working with are prepared to allocate a 30% slice of the total funds for your efforts.
I shall however leave out the final details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate. Rest assured that I am on top of the situation all the time and there will be no risk whatsoever if you elect to come on board. Needless to say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction.
Find above Written telephone and email contacts that you may reach me with my personal email address: (morganmartinez92@yahoo.com.hk). The numbers have been carefully chosen to ensure that I can be reached at anytime you choose to call.
I do expect your prompt response.
Truly,
Morgan Martinez
Tel: + 44-7947231709.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam