• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Opinions about the scammers and their victims
  
• Domains registered by 419 scammers
  
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam
  
• Names of people mentioned in 419 spam
  
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Google search: Dead foreigner scam emails
  
• Fake Nigerian bank deposit certificate (JPEG, 200 KB)
  

In these emails the scammers claim to be associates of the disgraced former arrested ENRON CEO Kenneth Lay. They seek your help in moving millions of dollars in secret funds through your bank account, promising you a slice of it, but first you must send money to a securities company, lawyer or bank.

As far as we can tell this scam has no connection to any associates of the late Mr Lay at all. It's a spin-off of the "Yukos oil" scam, which also doesn't have any connection with that company or its chairman. Because of this history, the "Enron" scam still uses a Russian name for the sender in the inital format.

The criminals are based in Africa, where all emails are sent from. It's the classic Nigerian fraud with a slightly modified storyline.

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Example (Junly 2006):

Hello

I apologise for intruding into your privacy,having obtained
your contact details on the internet while searching for a reliable
business associate that can handle a capital project.
I am Ivan Alexey
(Mr)., a representative and PERSONAL AID to Kenneth Lay, the former
chairman & CEO, Enron Corp.Industry: Energy & Natural Resources Home,
who was in detention and facing trial on charges of corruption and
embezzlement of investors/public funds while in office. He was
convicted of all ten counts of fraudulent allegations on Thursday the
25th of May 2006 and he was to spend the rest of his life in jail but
unfortunately died of a heart attack on the 5th of July while awaiting
his sentence in october.
At the moment,l have some documents that
reflects on some huge Deposit made with a financial institution and l
intend utilizing this funds into a more viable venture with your
professional assistance. I have no doubt that this money was part of
the embezzled funds which I had no intention of turning over any one or
the authority since the money can be put to a better use. I would want
to assure you of utmost confidentiality in this transaction.
For
security reasons,l would give you details more details upon the receipt
of your consent to handle this This project.

Thank you and God bless.
Sincerely Yours,
Ivan Alexey(Mr).

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