419 scam: Mark Edward <markedward.gh57@gmail.com> Can You Handle This Project?

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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 <markedward.gh57@gmail.com>
Reply-To: markedward1950@live.com
Date: Thu, 2 Jan 2014 14:46:50 +0000
Subject: Can You Handle This Project?

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 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
00233206501821

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam