Anatomy of a 419 scam

One victim's first-hand account of advance fee fraud

By Team Register • Get more from this author

Posted in Music and Media, 9th July 2004 13:06 GMT

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There then followed a series of phone conversations between DG and Cole in which DG indicated that he could only raise $1000. Very kindly, Cole said he would see what he could do to come up with the balance. DG notes that this "sounded convincing enough to me because at this point I thought that UMCIB was a real bank!" Absolutely certain that he is about to hit the jackpot, DG presses on:

Dear Mr. Cole,

Thank you for your response and direction. My initial hope was to be able to deposit all the funds at once without starting off with the minimum deposit which is a problem for me at the moment. I will need to consider what I can do and will get back in touch with you via email as I understand the regulations you indicated.

Sincerely,

DG

At this point, Clive Bannister* re-enters, offering a lifeline which may save the deal:

Hi D,

I have been in meetings all day and will be leaving for Belfast tomorrow morning returning Thursday evening or Friday morning. I have received your instructions from UMCIB.

I'm also low on funds right now as I just paid schools fees for my kids but we should not let that slow us down or set us back a step after getting so close to receiving our fund.

I think for now, we should come together as one and see how much we can put together within the next 24-48hrs as we do not have time before we are contacted by UAM.

I should be able to put together the equivalent of $2000-$3000.You need try on your part to see how much you can come up with. I have the details for western union and as soon as we are able to put the fund together, I will send what I have to the bank as instructed. Do not let this slight hitch put you down as this is a minor hitch which we can overcome.

Please give it your best shot my friend and get back with me. I will be checking my email and voice mail regularly.

Best of luck,

Clive

Good as his word, "Bannister"* arranges for some funds to be transferred in DG's account, as UMCIB confirms:

Dear Sir,

This is to acknowledge receipt of US$2,000.00 deposited on your behalf by Paul Anderson.

The payment was made by Western Union to Thomas Baker and was received today 22nd June 2004.

Please make arrangements for the balance US$6,000.00 so we can completely activate your account.

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

It appears that "Thomas Baker" is an agent of UMCIB. DG is completely suckered:

Dear Mr. Cole,

Please note that I have sent an additional installment of $1,000 U.S. to be credited towards the opening of my account. A copy of the Western Union Money Transfer is attached to this email. I am the sender from the U.S. and it was sent to Thomas Baker. The MTCN is XXX-XXX-XXXX. More installements will be coming in the days ahead to meet the $5,000 balance and your minimum requirement to open my account. Please acknowledge the completion of the transfer when done.

Regards,

DG

The Register has seen the money transfer documentation and has confirmed that the funds were transferred to a UK branch on 22 June and collected by Thomas Baker. Western Union declined - for reasons of data protection - to divulge where exactly the money was collected.

James Cole confirmed receipt of the $1,000 dollars:

Dear Sir,

I will instruct Mr. Baker to pick up the funds and add to your activating deposit.

Thus, you have a balance of US$5,000.00 to activate your account.

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

At this point "Clive Bannister"* called DG and said that he had been able to secure the $5,000 dollar balance and had transferred it to UMCIB. Accordingly, the illicit funds would be transferred within 48 hours. Shortly afterwards, the big moment arrived:

Dear Sir,

US $8,370,000.00 has arrived here and you should have access to your account by Noon today.

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