419 scam: "Mark Phillip" <markphill211@yahoo.com> ATTORNEY

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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. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "30% for you " (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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- markphill21@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mark Phillip" <markphill211@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: markphill21@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:45:42 +1200 (GILT)
Subject: ATTORNEY

Good day,

I am Mark Phillip, a legal practitioner and the personal attorney to
Christian Eich, 57, an engineer who ran carmaker BMW's museum, his wife
and two children and his wife's parents were also among the victims, in a
plane crash. The AF4590 crash killed all 109 passengers on board and five
others who died on the ground when the plane crashed into the Hotelissimo.
Refer to the website below for more details:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

Since then I have made several inquires to locate any of my client's
extended relatives but this has proved unsuccessful. After these several
unsuccessful attempts, I have decided to contact you to act as the next of
kin by assisting in repatriating the money in his account with BARCLAYS
BANK PLC LONDON . The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of
kin within the next 14 official working days or the account declared
unserviceable and confiscated. The amount in question is £10,500,000.00
(Ten Million five hundred thousand Pounds Sterling only).

It was during my search for any possible relative of my late client that I
stumbled upon your name, I know the bank directors are really interested
in my client’s estate and if I do not succeed in presenting a next
of kin before the specified period, the bank will be left with no other
option but to confisticate the money, therefore I seek your consent to
present you as the next of kin to the Late Christian Eich so that the
£10,500,000.00 (Ten Million five hundred thousand Pounds Sterling only)
can be paid to you and then we (you and I) can share the money.

Do go through my proposal very well and if you are interested, do get back
to me with the following information:
Your full names and address;
Your Contact Telephone Number.

I will prepare all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back
up any claim we may make. All I require is your honesty and co-operation
to enable us see this deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangements that
will protect you from any breach of the law.

By the time I am through with the necessary documentation, Barclays Bank
will then pay the sum of £10,500,000.00 (Ten Million five hundred thousand
Pounds Sterling only) into your provided bank account for us to share in
the ratio of 60% for me and 30% for you while 10% will be set aside for
expenses in the course of this transaction.

Upon your positive response, I shall provide you with more details on the
transaction. Please observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured
that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I
shall require your assistance to invest part of my own share in your
Country. I remain,

Mark Phillip.
Email: markphill21@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam