419 scam: "McRae Shelton" <mshelton@gmail.com> (no subject)

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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:
- ",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)
- "high court" (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 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.
- mshelton03@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "McRae Shelton" <mshelton@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mshelton03@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 03:41:32 +0100 (CET)
Subject:

We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the
total sum of $7,500,000.00 Dollars in the intent of the deceased.We
contacted you because you bear the surname which is now withheld and
therefore can present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance since
there is no written will. Our legal services aim to provide our private
clients
with a complete service. We are happy to prepare Wills, set-up and
administer Trusts, carry out the Administration Of Estates and prepare
and administer
Powers Of Attorney.

All the papers will be processed in your acceptance. In your acceptance
of this deal, we request that you kindly forward to us your letter of
acceptance, your current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding
address to enable us file necessary documents at our high court probate
division for the release of this sum of money in your favour.Do send your
response to my alternative email which is :Email:mshelton03@gmail.com

Yours faithfully,
McRae Shelton

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam