419 scam: "Dr. Bernd Van Linder" <bvlinder@outlook.com> Re: Quick answer needed

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- "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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Bernd Van Linder" <bvlinder@outlook.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2017 08:59:21 +0000
Subject: Re: Quick answer needed

Hello Dear Friend,

Greetings to you,

I am Dr. Bernd Van Linder, a Bank Officer here in U. A. E, I believe that it is the wish of God for me to come across you now.
I have an important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you and also benefits you immensely.

One Late MICHAEL Mizutani, a citizen of your country and a crude oil dealer had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2009 for 84 calendar months, valued at $40,000,000.00 (Forty Million Dollars) the due date for this deposit contract was 22nd of February 2017.

Sadly MICHAEL was among the death victims of Earthquake disaster that occurred in the off coast of central Chile on Saturday, 27 February 2010 that killed over 800 people..

He was in Chile on a business trip and that was how he met his end.

My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because he was my friend and I am his account officer.
MICHAEL did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the fixed deposit account was opened, also he was not married and no children.

Last week my Bank Management requested that as MICHAEL's account officer, I should contact MICHAEL to give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract. I knew this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happen to know that MICHAEL is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the funds for their personal use, so I don't want such to happen.

That is why when I saw your contact online, I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin / Heir to the account.Since you are a foreigner like him and share the same country with him, I am optimistic that my bank head quarters will release the account to you according to the information I will be revealing to you.

There is no risk involved, the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect both of us from any breach of law.

It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors to take it, they are rich already.
I am not a greedy person, so I am proposing we share the funds equally, 50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to start my own company which has been my dream.

Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET.

We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response through my email. .

Have a nice day and week, God bless.

Anticipating your communication.

Dr. Linder
<http://aka.ms/weboutlook>

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