Mr James Bruce, Mr Martin Wood and Mr Mark Benson - Advance Fee Fraud

(Update to Public Warnings reference KL/16/2006 issued on 19 July 2006, KL/17/2006 issued on 18 August 2006 and JPM/43/2006 issued on 6 September 2006)

The Commission has recently become aware of emails received by members of the Public purporting to have been sent by the above named individuals.

Within certain emails the above named individual, Mr James Bruce claims to be the “Chief Executive” for the above entity, HBSOC Plc, “located in the Isle Of Man”. The email seen by the Commission refers to “a possible business deal involving money transfer of £30 Million (sic)”.

Within further emails the above named individual, Mr Martin Wood, claims to be the “Auditor General” for Bank of Scotland Plc. The email seen by the Commission states that the sender is wishing to “make a transfer involving huge amount of money (sic)” and is “looking for someone to trust who will stand to receive the money.”

Within further emails the above named individual, Mr Mark Benson, claims to be the “Auditor General” for Bank of Scotland Plc. The email seen by the Commission states that the sender is wishing to “make a transfer involving huge amount of money (sic)” and is “looking for someone to trust who will stand to receive the money.”

The emails give an address for the senders of P.O. Box 19., Bank of Scotland House, Prospect Hill, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM99 1AT.

The Commission wishes to draw attention to the following observations regarding the aforementioned emails:

There is a genuine holder of an Isle of Man Banking Licence called Bank of Scotland International Limited with a genuine address of PO Box 19, Bank of Scotland House, Prospect Hill, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM99 1AT. Details of all licenceholders of the Commission are available on our website.

Enquiries by the Commission have established that there is neither a James Bruce, a Martin Wood nor a Mark Benson now or formerly employed by the genuine Bank of Scotland International Limited.

Under the circumstances the Commission feels that these emails are being issued to either tempt the recipient into becoming the victim of an Advance Fee Fraud.

or are an attempt at gaining personal data from the recipient in order to steal their identity.

Under the circumstances the Commission would encourage people receiving emails matching the above descriptions to refrain from responding to them in any way.

Any persons who are already involved in any dealings resulting from emails matching the above description and have concerns should contact the Enforcement Division on +44 1624 689315 or by email to fsc@gov.im.

Any persons who have paid out funds in relation to emails matching the above description or who have provided personal financial details in relation to emails matching the above description should consider contacting their local police fraud unit without delay.

FSC reference: KL/19/2006