Scam Money Transfers
Example - Sphere Energy Company, Christopher Marshall, Esq
Scam or Crime?
If you read the Christopher Marshall, attorney to Sphere Energy Company scam and wondered what would happen if you replied to him, see below. One potential victim did reply to the email. The potential victim (who we call "Joe"), told us "Christopher Marshall" called him from +234 8033490495, a number in Nigeria. Also, we should add that it ought to be obvious that the scammer's real name is most certainly not "Christopher Marshall". That is probably a name from a lost or stolen identity, passport, driver's license, etc.
Just another scam. Here it is for your entertainment. We've highlighted some of the obviously false statements that are clues to the scam; such as numerous misspellings, poor grammar and punctuation, conflicting statements, etc. You'd think a lawyer in the UK would be able to spell a smidge better than this scammer!
Remember, scammers are criminals and conmen: they will say whatever you want to hear. they can be dangerous. It is NOT recommended to reply to them
Email sent TO the scammer, in response to the original scam email.
To: < chris_marshall10@yahoo.com.hk >
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 10:25 AM
Subject: ANSWER
DEAR CHRISTOPHER,
TO ASSIST YOU IN RETRIEVING THE BOX OF MONEY OUT FROM THE SECURITY COMPANY I WANT TO CLARIFY TWO THINGS:
1.- IF I GIVE YOU MY PERSONAL DETAILS WOULD BE ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE TO GET THE MONEY INTO AUSTRALIA.
2.- IF ANY MONEY IS REQUIRED AS EXPENSES TO MOVE SUCH AMOUNT OF MONEY FROM ONE BANK TO ANOTHER OR TO TRANSFER OR TO PAY FEES FOR SOME CERTIFICATES ETC, ETC, YOU HAVE TO PAY IN ADVANCE AND WILL NOT BE REQUEST AS MY EXPENSES, BECAUSE THE ONLY THING THAT I CAN GIVE YOU IS MY DETAILS AS A HOLDER OF THAT MONEY BUT NOT TO PAY ANYTHING BEFORE TO GET THE MONEY INTO MY BANK ACCOUNT. SO YOU HAVE TO PLAN IN ADVANCE ALL YOUR EXPENSES.
AWAITING YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE,
Joe
And here is the scammer's reply:
From: Mr. Christopher Marshall
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 4:14 AM
Subject: REPLY
Dear Joe,
First of all, I must begin by thanking you for your email reply
I would, without wasting time, assure you that everything with regards this transaction, have been worked out by me and that all hands are on deck for a hitch free transaction.
To begin processing on this, I think you should know the following.
1. BIOGRAPHY
I am Christopher Charles Marshall, aged 50 yrs + ( born 19/5/56), married to Veronica, who was a teacher and now a full house wife. I have two boys and two girls. I am a lawyer and have been called to bar for over ten years now. I live in No. 114, Liverpool Rd, Luwisham LP 23 LULondon.
2. OUR SUBJECT MATTER
This is 100% genuine and legal. It is a risk free transaction. With my back-ground, I would not get myself into any illegality in the first place. So this is an opportunity, that we cannot allow, to pass us bye. Otherwise, some else will take advantage of it.
3. CAUTION
It is very important, as a condition precedent, that you abide by these four(4) key words, for us to succeed in this mutual beneficial transaction, and that is: TRUTH, TRANSPERENCY, SUPPORT AND CONFIDENTIALITY at all times, until after the funds have been paid to you/us.These four keys words which MUST be our bond will help us finalize this transaction succesfully and without any delay.
4. DURATION OF THIS TRANSACTION
By my calculation and with your seriousness and daily follow-up , it is not expected to exceed two(2) weeks, then funds would be paid.
5.GUARANTEE ABOUT THE TRANSACTION
Firstly, I am a lawyer, and also, Iam directly involved and have been with sphere Energy for about 12 years now. I am in - charge to scrutinize and recommend for payment, IF satisfied about the fact of the claims, by the beneficiary, which is now yourself. Therefore, with me and my consent, it is as good as completed. All that is required of you is your 100% seriousness and un-divided attention within the two weeks mapped out to complete this transaction.
6. WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU.
To begin,it is mportant your provide me with your personal information and that is your full name and address, phone numbers( mobile, home and office), and fax numbers. I would be using the details, which you had provided, in putting up an application through the right channels for claims on your befalf.
I shall couch it tagged with,consignment and file number:1513. And since the CEO of sphere Energy, did not indicate where the claimant or donor, as it then was, is coming from, then yourself, coming up for this claim/payment coupled with my authorization, after verification will be an added advantage and a plus, to without hitch, finalize this payment to you.
In that case, I would suggest, I apply on your behalf for only 7.5Million GBP. We will then live, 5 Million GBP, in the other consignment, for any unforseen occurence. But one thing is very certain and clear. And that is that, so far before me all claims have been paid out and there appear to be NO other claimant coming on since this particular consignment, is indeed a case of hidden identity by the CEO, and no one is aware of this, except me as all efforts to reach the manager, who was to help the CEO move the consignment had proved abortive as my findings revealed that the manager, is now dead.
So you see, that it is an opportunity, that may not come my way all over again. This then implieds that the consignment/funds belongs to NOBODY and hence the absolute confidence between me and you. And if I do not claim it, some one else, in my position would . Hence your utmost understanding, confidentiality and full co-operation is of utmost important here.
So, I shall therefore be using your particulars, which you shall send immedaitely upon the receipt of this advise to put up application on your bahalf as the now beneficiary of the consignment with no: 1513.
The approval of this, by the adhoc committee, which I am priviledge to be a member of, would verify and approve the application, BY THE GRACE OF GOD within 1 or 2 days.
As soon as this is done, I will let you know and communicate with you, with the next line of action, towards the payment/delivery of the consignment to you via the payment office in Europe.
I will update you, vian email or phone call as I await your urgent reply/thoughts.
My Regards and God bless.
Christopher Marshall
Tel/ +447024014423
Note: The UK phone number about is probably a disposable cell phone that forwards to his number in Nigeria. Don't be fooled by it!
And please let us know about any suspicious calls or emails you receive. We look for patterns so that we can alert the authorities and victims to new scams, before it is too late!
For a comprehensive list of national and international agencies to report scams, see this page.