419 scam: "Ando Satoshi"<futurebk@batelco.com.bh> Charity Funds

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cheques " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Ando Satoshi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ando_satoshi2@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:54:51 -0000
Subject: Charity Funds

Dear Friend!

I am Ando Satoshi, Japanese national; an attorney at Law, and the official
receiver in charge of administering the funds from the sale of the assets
of the bankruptcy estate of Sphere Energy Japan. This is the real deal. By
virtue of my position as the trustee of the bankruptcy estate, I have processed
the claims of all the creditors and also issued out cheques for their claims.
However, a certain surplus amounting to about Four Million Seven Hundred Thousand
and fifty British Pounds Sterling (£4,750,000.00) is yet to be disbursed out.
To this end, I am seeking your assistance to transfer about Four Million Seven
Hundred Thousand and fifty British Pounds Sterling. I want you to help me collect
this deposit and dispatch it to charity organizations. Please kindly note that
upon the receipt of these funds from the financial institution, you shall invest
it in your line of business and dispatch the profit to charitable home. As soon
as i receive your response, I shall communicate with you, and let you know the
details of the transfer. Whatever your actions and your decision are, I thank
you for taking the time to read this email. Please note that this is not a scam
as it does not require upfront payment but escrow payment.

Regards,

Ando Satoshi

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam