419 scam: "Mr. Louis Castello" <consultant@123.com.sv> LETTER OF ENQUIRY!!!

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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:

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:
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Louis Castello" <consultant@123.com.sv>
Reply-To: lcastello@videobank.it
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:27:39 -0500
Subject: LETTER OF ENQUIRY!!!

Attention Please,

I am Mr. Louis Castello, a financial consultant with Smith & Williamson, a
Leading independent provider of investment management, accountancy, tax,
corporate and financial advisory services to private clients, corporate,
professional practices, and non-profit organizations. I am acting on
instruction from one of our client to source for a reliable,honest and trusted
partner to entrust his funds for the purpose of investment into real estate or
communication industry.

You will receive 20% as of this fund for your services upon the successful
transfer and investment of this fund. So my question to you now is; Can you
receive this fund and invest for my client? It does not matter whether you are
into business or not. He is presently having a legal problem at the Southwark
crown Court in London over allegations of money laundering and embezzlement of
public funds during his 8 years stewardship in government.

If you can help him receive and invest the sum of $35,000.000.00 without
running away or denying him as soon as this fund gets to you, kindly indicate
by sending your contact address, bank account details which I will present to
the bank to enable them process the transfer of the fund to you as his next of
kin.

Upon your acceptance of this proposal, I will forward to you his Lawyer's
contract agreement which both of you will sign to protect both parties
interest
in the course of the project.

Best regards,

Mr. Louis Castello.
Director,
Head of Financial services.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam