419 scam: "Steward Mcdonald"<parts@equatorappliances.com> VERY IMPORTANT

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "because it still remains the fastest medium of communication" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",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)
- "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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "i feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mcdonaldstewat@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Steward Mcdonald" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mcdonaldstewat@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2016 11:31:46 +0100
Subject: VERY IMPORTANT

Greetings,

I feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business. Though
this medium (Internet) has been greatly abused, I choose to reach you
through it because it still remains the fastest medium of
communication. However, this correspondence is private, and it should
be treated in strict confidence

I am the Director Finance of, Falkland oil and Gas marketing company
London UK, and by the virtue, as the Chief Financial Officer. I got
your contact through a web directory search and decided to propose
this business. Am seeking your assistance in remittance of,
€45,000,000, 00. EUROS, (Forty Five Million Euros) to your account
for private investment purpose, this is my request for your assistance.

SOURCE OF THE FUND:

The fund to be transferred into your account was accrued from an
over-invoiced contract amount awarded for servicing of our depot and
valves for storage of product all over our branches here in London.
The contract which was originally valued for, €127, 000, 000,00.
EUROS, was manipulated to read, €172, 000, 000, 00. EUROS, the extra,
€45,000, 000,00. EUROS, is what I want to transfer to your account,
the original contractors who executed the job had been paid all their
contract bills remaining this €45,000,000, 00. .EUROS.

DISBURSEMENT:

I have resolved that you take 30% of the total amount for your
assistance in fronting you as a sub-contractor to claim the remaining
balance of €45,000,000, 00. 00.EUROS which is left now in our bank
from the over invoice contract because it is impossible for me to
claim the over invoiced amount here in London without your assistance
as a Foreign Contractor. In addition 5% has been mapped out for any
miscellaneous expenses incurred by me and you during this business
while 65% will be my own share.

SECURITY:

All modalities to effect the payment and subsequent transfer of this
money has been worked out, so this transaction is 100% risk free,
though you are required to treat with top secrete, on your acceptance
please send to me your personal details and your direct mobile phone
number for speedy correspondence.

I am looking forward to doing business with you. Your prompt reply
will be highly appreciated.

Please send all response to the email address mcdonaldstewat@gmail.com

Yours Faithfully
Steward Mcdonald

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam