419 scam: "USMAN MOHAMED" <info@runawaydirect.com> As-Salamu `Alaykum From Usman Mohamed.

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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:
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +2289795825 (Togo, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- usman.mohamed43@yahoo.com.my (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "USMAN MOHAMED" <info@runawaydirect.com>
Reply-To: <mohamedu18@yahoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 12:54:45 +0800
Subject: As-Salamu `Alaykum From Usman Mohamed.

As-Salamu `Alaykum

My names are Mr. Usman Mohamed, the principal attorney of MOHAMED LAW CHAMBERS based in Lome , Republic of Togo .

Is my pleasure to submit this business offered to you, for your kind consideration, I have a client Mr. Shukri Mohammed Ghanem from Libya, the Oil Minister and owner of ZULAYTINI International Contracting Co. Ltd based in Lome-Togo and I was his company's legal adviser. More information about my client can be finding on http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13428777, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/18/world/africa/18libya.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shukri_Ghanem

My client wants to relocate his family and invest in any Islamic/Arabian continent, so he mandated me to look for a foreign partner in any Arab speaking nation, who will be trustworthy and reliable to handle the investment funds in any lucrative ventures. This is the reason why I contacted you and if its interest you, you have to come down to Togo-Lome and we have face to face familiarly meeting with me, regards to this project.

The reason of your coming down to Lome- Togo is to reach an investment agreement before the funds will be release to you, and also to discuss the areas you will investments the funds. As a matter of fact, my client did not want to expose himself as a Libyans government officials, as such he handed me over every thing to work with you as his company's legal adviser.

Please if you are interested and capable to handle the investment funds, write back to me with your full contact details for further details. I can be reached on +228-979-5825. Contact me on my private E-mail at usman.mohamed43@yahoo.com.my

I am waiting for your prompt positive response, to enable me stop further contacts on this subject matter.

Best regards,

Mr Usman Mohamed.
MOHAMED LAW CHAMBERS.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam