419 scam: Mark Edward <mr.markedward57@outlook.com> Dear Friend,

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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Mark Edward <mr.markedward57@outlook.com>
Reply-To: <markedward1950@live.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 15:46:04 +0000
Subject: Dear Friend,

Dear Friend,

It is my sincere pleasure at this moment to exhibit my total trust bestowed on you in accordance to my Proposed partnership/ relationship with you of which I am fully convinced that you will really welcome my partnership with you in this transaction Being very skeptical in dealing with Africans in such transaction, Ranging from the height rise of fraudulent activities encompassing the African communities.

I am Mr.Mark Edward, married ,A senior staff in a pan African bank in Ghana, West Africa Region,I am contacting you regarding a deposit our deceased customer left without an established next of kin to the tune of Six Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars. The deceased own an account with us and he made a fixed deposit to the sum of US$6,500,000.00 in our custody, presently I serves as Head of Business Development and Remittance Director.All documents and proves to enable you get this fund will be carefully worked out.The appeal for a foreigner as next of kin in this business is occasioned by the fact that the customer was a foreigner and a Ghanaian citizen cannot stand as next of kin to a foreigner.

The sharing of the funds will be based According to agreement between {both of us} that is, you and I. As soon as I receive an acknowledgement of this message in acceptance of our mutual business proposal,I will furnish you with the necessary modalities and disbursement ratio to suit both parties without any conflict. If this proposal is acceptable by you, do not take undue advantage of the trust I have bestowed in you.

Finally, it is my humble prayer that the information as contained herein be accorded the necessary attention,urgency as well as the secrecy it deserves. I expect your urgent response if you can handle this project.

Respectfully yours,
Mr.Mark Edward

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam