419 scam: "Dr,Howard Mark" <howardmak@msn.com> From Dr,Howard Mark

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "greater london" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million pounds" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447024069968 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- dr.makhoward@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr,Howard Mark" <howardmak@msn.com>
Reply-To: dr.makhoward@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:01:29 +0100 (CET)
Subject: From Dr,Howard Mark

From Dr,Howard Mark

I am Dr,Howard Mark from Harlsden, North West London , here

in England. I work for NatWest Bank Corporation London. I am

writing you from my office that will be of an immense benefit

to both of us. In my department, being the assistant manager

(Greater London Regional Office), I discovered an abandoned

sum of £ 15 Million Great British Pounds (Fifteen Million

Great British Pounds ) in an account that belongs to one of

our foreign customers Late Mr. Thompson Morrison an American

citizen who unfortunately lost his life in the plane crash of

Alaska Airlines Flight 261 which crashed on January 31 2000,

including his wife and only daughter.

The choice of contacting you is aroused from the geographical

nature of where you live, particularly due to the sensitivity

of the transaction. and the confidentiality herein. Now our

bank has been waiting for any of the relatives to come-up for

the claim but nobody has done that. I personally has been

unsuccessful in locating the relatives for 2 years now, I

seek your consent to present you as the next of kin /Will

Beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this

account valued at 15 Million Pounds can be paid to you.

This will be disbursed or shared in these percentages,60% to

me and 40% to you. I have secured all necessary legal

documents that can be used to back up this claim we are

making. All i need is to fill in your names to the documents

and legalize it in the court here to prove you as the

legitimate beneficiary. All I require now is your honest Co-

operation, Confidentiality and Trust to enable us see this

transaction through. I guarantee you that this will be

executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you

from any breach of the law.

Please provide me the following: as we have 7 days to run it

through. this is very very URGENT PLEASE.

1. Full Name
2. Your Direct Mobile Number
3. Your Contact Address.

Having gone through a methodical search, I decided to contact

you hoping that you will find this proposal interesting.

Please on your confirmation of this message and indicating

your interest will furnish you with more information.

Endeavor to let me know your decision as soon as possible.

Regards,Dr,Howard Mark
Mobile Number:+447024069968.
PRIVATE EMAIL; dr.makhoward@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam