On 20 June, Clive Bannister* called DG and suggested a repository for the funds: The London-based United Mercantile Credit & Investment Bank (UMCIB). "Bannister"* suggested that DG open an account with UMCIB into which the cash could be channeled. DG's next email to "Bannister"* is as follows:

Hi Clive,

I just faxed my cover letter, UCMIB form, and ID documents to them [United Mercantile Credit & Investment Bank]. I will follow up with a phone call to them aprox. 1000 your Monday.

Cheers,

D

"Bannister"* now forwarded some apparently crucial details:

----- Original Message -----
From: clive bannister*
To: DG
Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2004 11:43 AM
Subject: Re: Situation report

Hi D,

Schwecter is Moser's mothers maiden name. Pls keep me informed on the progress you make tomorrow regarding opening an account with UMCIB.

Clive

DG then received his first email from UMCIB. The advance fee fraud begins here:

21st June 2004

ATTENTION: DG

Dear Sir,

Your recent account application was succesful and your account needs to be activated, this account activation involves making of a minimum deposit into your account, this deposit remains yours and forms the first transaction on your account.

This deposit is mandatory for the following reasons:

1. As a result of you non-resident status here you are not subject to any local taxes and as such the costs of clearing the funds has to be present in your account first of all
2. The minimum deposit calculated based on the services to be rendered you is £4000.00[US$8,000.00] (FOUR THOUSAND POUNDS STERLING ONLY WHICH CONVERTED AT TODAY'S EXCHANGE RATE IS EIGHT THOUSAND US DOLLARS ONLY).
3. Once these funds are received and credited to your account, the Accounts Department would immediately issue you with your Account number and online Account Access from where you can transfer funds and or pay bills over the Internet.(This account Number Cannot be released to you until the minimum deposit is received)

This minimum deposit can be paid in one of two ways:
1. Bank To Bank Transfer: Usually Confirmable in 7-10 Working days
2. Direct Transfer: Usually Confirmable in 24Hours.

Once your account is activated we will send your your secure online logon via e-mail and also send our UMCIB WELCOME PACK (which contains your cheque book, debit cards and accompnying PIN by secure international courier).

Please note that at UMCIB, we use Relationship Managers, who are in-charge of individual accounts and who you will contact regarding your account from today.

Your Account Officer is:
James Cole
E-Mail: jcole@umcib.com
TEL: +44-7780 572 211

Please contact him immediately for details on how to activate your account.

ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT UNITED MERCHANTILE CREDIT & INVESTMENT BANK(UK) 232 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 6HQ UK

DG's "Relationship Manager" quickly moved in for the kill:

Dear Sir,

Your account application was succesful and your account needs to be activated, this account activation involves making of a minimum deposit into your account, this deposit remains yours and forms the first transaction on your account.

This deposit is mandatory for the following reasons:
1. As a result of you non-resident status here you are not subject to any local taxes and as such the costs of clearing the funds has to be present in your account first of all
2. 2. Your account is set-up to handle sums over the minimum threshold of USD1,000,000.00 and as such the transaction would be scrutinised by the regulatory authorities here and questions would be asked as to the "Clean Source of Funds" being credited into an account with $0.00 Balance and no transaction history, delays would occur which could take as much as 90 Days to resolve.
3. The minimum deposit calculated based on the amount of your funds and the services to be rendered you is USD8,000.00 (Eight Thousand US Dollars Only).
4. Once these funds are received and credited to your account, I will prepare the requisite documentation and the Accounts Department would immediately issue you with your Account number and Online Account Access from where you can transfer funds and or pay bills over the Internet. (PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT CANNOT ISSUE YOU AN ACCOUNT NUMBER PRIOR TO THE RECEIPT OF YOUR MINIMUM DEPOSIT)

This minimum deposit can be paid in one of two ways:
1. Bank To Bank Transfer: Usually Confirmable in 7-10 Working days
2. Direct Transfer: Usually Confirmable in 24Hours.

Thank You,

James Cole
Relationship Manager
UNITED MERCHANTILE CREDIT & INVESTMENT BANK(UK)
232 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 6HQ UK

* the name falsely used by the 419 fraudsters - see start of article