419 scam: "EDWARD CLARKE"<admin@findus.com.my> FOR YOUR URGENT ATTENTION

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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)
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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: "EDWARD CLARKE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <edwardclarke@mail.com.tr>
Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2017 00:04:59 +0300
Subject: FOR YOUR URGENT ATTENTION

FROM THE DESK OF EDWARD CLARKE
SOLICITOR + GENERAL LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE
EMAIL: EDWARDCLARKE@MAIL.COM.TR

Dear Friend,

I am very sorry for invading your privacy because we do not know each other but I am contacting you because of my late client who died without a WILL and he has the same last name with you. I am the Trustee and Executor of the Testament of my late client.

My late client died as a result of a heart-related Condition after an auto crash in May 25th 2013.Leaving behind a deposit valued at £19,700,000.00 GBP . His heart condition was due to the death of his wife and only two daughters in the auto crashed.I want you to assist in repartriation of the funds left behind by my late client before It is confiscated or declared abandon and unserviceable by the bank.

The bank has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin. My proposition to You is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin to my late client. This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that Will protect you from any breach of the law, and you will share 40% of the Total sum for your assistance.

All I need is for you to accept so that we can file the application of claim to the probate division of the court to obtain all court papers required for you to claim the funds from the holding bank. If you accept please forward your full names, physical address, copy of driver's licence or passport and your direct cell for the court documentations

You are advised to contact me urgently on my private Email: edwardclarke@mail.com.tr

Best Regards,

EDWARD CLARKE

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam