419 scam: Desmond <cv@arneg.com.ar> THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING

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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:
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Desmond <cv@arneg.com.ar>
Reply-To: <dkwame2@kimo.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:04:42 +0100
Subject: THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING

[http://arneg.com.ar/images/sial2011.jpg]

Hello Firend,

I am Mr. Desmond Kwame a Banker here in GHANA. I believe it is destiny for me to come across your name here. I have an important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you because, it is in connection with your last name and you are going to benefit from it.

One of our customers who is a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2005 for 60 calendar months, valued at US$18,400,000.00 (Eighteen Million, Four Hundred Thousand US Dollars)the due date for this deposit contract was this 16 of January 2011. Sadly the said depositor was among the death victims in the May 26 2006 Earthquake disaster in Jawa, Indonesia that killed over 5,000 people. He was in Indonesia 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. The depositor did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and he was not married and no children. Last week my Bank Management requested that I should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract or to divert the fund into the bank treasury.

I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happens to know that he 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. I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, my bank head quarters will release the account to you. There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law.

It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors to take it for their selves under the pretense that they will divert it into the banks treasury, as they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the funds equal, 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 ,

We can as well discuss this on phone; let me have your telephone number and also know when you will be available to speak with me. Have a nice day and remain blessed.

NB; more details will be giving to you as soon as i hear from you.

My regards

Mr. Desmond Kwame
Divisional Head, Operations,
systems development of my bank.

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