419 scam: "MR EARL SPENCER" <info@earlspencer.org> TRANSACTION

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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:
- ",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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "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 next of kin scam.
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.
- earlspencer48@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR EARL SPENCER" <info@earlspencer.org>
Reply-To: earlspencer48@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2010 06:04:12 +0800
Subject: TRANSACTION

My name is Earl Spencer a member of Independent Committee of Eminent Persons
(ICEP), Switzerland. ICEP is charged with the responsibility of finding bank
accounts in Switzerland belonging to non-Swiss indigenes, which have remained
dormant since World War II It may interest you to know that In July of
1997,the Swiss Banker's Association published a list of dormant accounts
originally opened by non-Swiss citizens. These accounts had been dormant since
the end of World War II (May 9, 1945). Most belonged toHolocaust victims.

The continuing efforts of the Independent Committee of Eminent Persons (ICEP)
have since resulted in the discovery of additional dormant accounts - 54,000
in December, 1999.

The published lists contain all types of dormant accounts, including
interest-bearing savings accounts,securities accounts, safe deposit boxes,
custody accounts, and non-interest-bearing transaction accounts. Numbered
accounts are also included.Interest is paid on accounts that were interest
bearing when
established.

The Claims Resolution Tribunal (CRT) handles processing of all claims on
accounts due non-Swiss citizens. A dormant account with a credit balance of
35,000,000 US dollar plus accumulated interest was discovered by me. The
beneficiary was murdered during the holocaust era,leaving no WILL and no
possible records for trace of heirs. The Claims Resolution Tribunal has been
mandated to report all unclaimed funds for permanent closure of accounts and
transfer of existing credit balance into the treasury of Switzerland
government as provided by the law for management assets of deceased
beneficiaries who died interstate (living no wills).

Being a top executive at ICEP, I have all secret details and necessary
contacts for claim of the funds without any hitch. The funds will be banked in
a tax free, safe haven for funds and we can share the funds and use in investment
of our choice.
Due to the sensitive nature of my job, I need a foreigner to HELP claim the
funds. All that is required is for you to for processing of the necessary
legal, and administrative claim documents for transfer of the funds to you.

Provide me with your full name, address, and telephone/fax. I will ensure that
the fund is tansferred to a secure, numbered account in your name, and you can
now start accessing the funds gradually and transferring to your country
of the total amount. THERE IS NO RISK INVOLVED.

You can find additional information about unclaimed funds through the internet
at the following websites:
www.swissbankclaims.com
www.avotaynu.com
www.icheic.org
www.livingheirs.com
www.wiesenthal.com

The Holocaust Claims Processing Office has put funds in Escrow awaiting
submission of valid claims for necessary disbursement.I find myself
priviledged to have this information and this may be a great opportunity for
a life time of
success without risks.

Thank you for your prompt response.Due to security reasons, reply to my email via
earlspencer48@yahoo.com.hk only.

Thanks once more for co-operating,
Earl Spencer

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam