419 scam: "Prof Alex Smith" <profal_2@yahoo.com> PLEASE REPLY

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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:
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Prof Alex Smith" <profal_2@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: <profalm_1@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 13:36:25 -0000
Subject: PLEASE REPLY

From:Professor Alex Smith Chambers
Manchester M27 5FX,
United Kingdom.

This is to inform you that your funds of US$15 Million has been
approved for immediate delivery to you.

For the purpose of clarification,you are advised to reconfirm your Full
Names,Direct Telephone Numbers,Physical Address with Zip Code so that
there will be no error during the delivery of the funds to you in your
country of residence.

Your quick response will be highly appreciated.

Professor Alex Smith Chambers.
The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential and as applicable, copyright in these is reserved to Finest Brands International Limited. Unless expressly authorised by us, any further dissemination or distribution of this email or its attachments is prohibited.

If you are not the intended recipient of this email, please reply to inform us that you have received this email in error and then delete it without retaining any copy.

Any opinions or views expressed in this email are personal and are not attributable to Finest Brands International Limited or any other company associated with it.

No person other than a director of is authorised to bind Finest Brands International Limited in contract.

The reliability of email communication cannot be guaranteed. It can be intercepted, corrupted, delayed, may arrive incomplete, contain viruses or be affected by other interference. We have taken reasonable steps to reduce risks against viruses but cannot accept liability for any damage sustained as a result of this transmission.

Finest Brands International Limited
FBI House
Low Fields Way
Leeds
LS12 6HQ
0113 270 7007
VAT Number GB545644724
Registered Number 2545569

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam