419 scam: "David Mark" <fernandez.grc@gmail.com> Investment Opportunity

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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "David Mark" <fernandez.grc@gmail.com>
Reply-To: edoffice2012@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:19:15 +0500 (TJT)
Subject: Investment Opportunity

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Senator David Mark, the present Senate President of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.

With my present office as the Senate President,I have acquired a lot of
wealth and as a result of the unforeseen events in my country, I moved the
sum of USD50Million (Fifty Million Dollars) only which I deposited in a
security company and I have authorized the security to transfer the money
to a foreign investor I can form a triangle partnership with once I
disengage from active service in Nigeria Government in 2014.

I am taking this risk on trust because I have not met you before and
believing that the money would be in your safe custody until we meet to
plan for any viable investment in your country.

If my proposal interest you, do not hesitate to contact me so that I will
give you further details I have planned to save both of us from breaching
the law of my country and yours.

Once I hear from you, I will authorize the security company to contact you
and transfer the money to your provided account without delay.

While I wait to hear from you, God bless you as I remain.

Yours sincerely,

Senator David Mark
Senate President
Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam