419 scam: "Mr. Edward Portman" <worldbankdebtreconciliation@gmail.com> MR EDWARD PORTMAN(ESQ)

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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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
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.
- +2348025209273 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- worldbankdebtreconciliation@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Edward Portman" <worldbankdebtreconciliation@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Dec 2013 01:49:07 -0800
Subject: MR EDWARD PORTMAN(ESQ)

FROM THE DESK OF:MR EDWARD PORTMAN(ESQ)
PAYMASTER GENERAL
WORLD BANK DEBT RECONCILIATION AGENCIES.
Email: worldbankdebtreconciliation@gmail.com
Phone: +234-802-520-9273

ATTENTION:

The World Debt Reconciliation Agency this day received a payment credit
instruction to credit your account from International Monetary Fund wire
instruction, since you are among the list of Unpaid Contractors,
Inheritance Next of kin, Lotto beneficiaries and ATM processes that
originated from Africa, Europe, Asia Plus Middle east, Americans.

Apparently, investigations carried out by the World Bank Auditors has
confirmed that you are being asked to Pay certain irrelevant Charges
therefore making it very difficult for you to meet such obligations.

In view of this, the Governing Board of the World Bank has directed
this Office (World Debt Reconciliations Agencies) to scrutinize and
oversee an immediate release of your payments that has met the
requirements for effectiveness without any further delay.

You have to finally stop all further communications with any agents,
group of people or any Government bodies in respect of your payment.
You are not supposed to spend a dime for you to receive your fund.

Waiting to hear from you soonest.

Thanks.

MR EDWARD PORTMAN

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam