419 scam: "David Edwards"<davidedwards@yahoo.co.uk> INVESTMENT PROPOSAL FROM DAVID EDWARDS

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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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)
- ",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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- +447035909486 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- david.edwards0101@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "David Edwards" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <david.edwards0101@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:38:23 +0100
Subject: INVESTMENT PROPOSAL FROM DAVID EDWARDS

David Edwards
Selborne Chambers
10 Essex Street
London WC2R 3AA
United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 703 590 9486

Dear Sir/Madam,

I know we have not met in person but I have a very profiting proposal which I am sure you can handle. My name is David Edwards QC. I am a Barrister and a member of the Queen's Council (QC) working with the reputable legal firm - Selborne Chambers in London United Kingdom and I am only contacting you to help claim deposited funds made by one of our clients who was involved in a fatal auto crash which killed him and his entire family in 2003.

Late Mr. Mark Veem was a personal client of mine and I managed all his legal affairs.

Today, I stand as the only custodian to the deposit he made in a finance company and now I am faced with the task of providing a beneficiary for the fund. The amount in the deposit is $12,000,000 (Twelve Million United States Dollars Only) and the finance house is ready to release the money to whoever I present as the true fund beneficiary and next-of-kin to my late client because my late client issued me a Power of Attorney duly endorsed in the British High Courts of Justice when he made the deposit and I was his legal advising counselor on the deposit and other issues.

Now the finance house where my client deposited the fund demands that I quickly provide a claimant for the fund because the deposit duration has expired and needs a renewal or withdrawal from their company otherwise it will be handed over to the government. Because I have not been able to provide anyone due to my fears of releasing the money to someone who might run away with it, I am being very careful about this. I have however decided to try and do this deal with you whether you are truly related to my client or not and I pray you will not run away with the money when they release it to you. I will arrange to formalize your papers so that you can be approved as next-of-kin to my late client and the fund can be released to you immediately. The courier/security company has agreed to release the fund in cash to the next-of-kin to my late client through their liaison office depending on the area he/she may base. They can pay in these countries Europe:-Spain, Holland, France an
d London etc, Asia:-Dubai, Pakist

We shall draw an agreement between you and me for security of the fund sharing when it is released to you. I agree to a fifty-fifty sharing but we must bear serious responsibilities on both sides to ensure the release of the fund to you. I want you to note that this is a very serious deal and not a child's play and this time the money must be released because it truly exists in the finance company. If you feel we can sign out the funds together, quickly furnish me with the below information:

1) Your full name and address
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company name, position and address:
4) Profession, age and marital status.
5) Working d/Int'l passport (if any).

As soon as the below information is received I shall proceed to the British High court in secure of the legal documents empowering you as the beneficiary of the fund.

You may get back to me via my direct email address: david.edwards0101@gmail.com

Regards,

David Edwards.
TEL: +44 703 590 9486
E-mail: david.edwards0101@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam