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EMAIL con artists posing as the commanding officer of the Royal Irish Regiment in Iraq are targetting internet users in Londonderry.
The fraudsters are offering to split millions of pounds supposedly acquired as spoils of war with anyone who will help smuggle the money out of Iraq and into their UK bank account. 

Marked "top secret and confidential", the email - which has come to light now during Scams Awareness Month - asks the recipient for personal contact details, and is signed by Major Eric H Millar, a man the con artists claim is the Royal Irish regiments top soldier.

One Waterside man  said both he and several work colleagues had received the hoax email.
He branded the scam "repulsive."

"These people are making a mockery of the many brave men and women serving their country in Iraq. I was disgusted to read this email. It is abhorrent and repulsive that someone should try and trick people in this way," he said.
The email promises anyone who sends their details 30percent of "funds belonging to some demised persons who were attacked and killed through these attacks."

It reads: "We plan on using Diplomatic courier and shipping the money out in two large metallic Boxes, using diplomatic immunity. If you are interested, I will send you the full details. My job is to find a good partner that we can trust and is ready to assist us. Can we trust you?"

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said anyone who receives the hoax email should delete it immediately.
"The Commanding Officer (CO) of a regiment is always a Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) and never a Major (Maj).
"The person named in this email is not a member of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment (1 R IRISH).
"This is a bogus email and my advice to anyone receiving such a communiqué would be to delete it immediately.
"If they have information pertaining to the origin of the email they should report it to the police." From Londonderry Sentinel

Here is the email text....

" Hello, I am. Eric miller and I am a British soldier attached to UN peace keeping force in Iraq. I am the commanding officer of the First Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment. As you may know, everyday there are several cases of insurgent attacks and suicide bombs going on here. We have managed to move funds belonging to some demised persons who were attacked and killed through these attacks. The total amount is US$15 Million dollars in cash. We want to move this money to you, so that you can help keep our share for us until when we shall come over to meet you. My partner and I will take 70%, . while you take 30%. No strings attached! Just help us move it out of Iraq which is a war zone right now. We plan on using Diplomatic courier and shipping the money out in two large metallic Boxes, using diplomatic immunity.If you are interested, I will send you the full details. My job is to find a good partner that we can trust and is ready to assist us. Can we trust you? When you receive this letter, kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest including your most confidential telephone/fax numbers and other contact details for quick communication. This business is risk free. The boxes can be shipped out in 48hrs.Please If you are Interested in assisting, kindly reply through this PRIVATE and CONFIDENTIAL Email for further documentations and briefing, ( [fake email removed....] @ myway.com).
PLEASE, TREAT THIS PROPOSAL AS TOP SECRET.
Respectfully,
MAJOR. ERIC H MILLER " 

Sourced From: Londonderry Sentinel

Category: Army

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