419 scam: "Gene Matthews"<gene_matthewsx@rediffmail.com> MUTUAL BENEFICIAL RELATIONMSHIP

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +442076501200
- +448447743696
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.
- gene_matthews01x@rediffmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Gene Matthews" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gene_matthews01x@rediffmail.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:35:32 -0800
Subject: MUTUAL BENEFICIAL RELATIONMSHIP

LEIGH DAY & CO
PRIORY HOUSE: 25 ST JOHN'S LANE LONDON EC1M 4LB
SOLICITORS, ADVOCATES AND ESTATE MANAGERS
Tel: +44 20 7650 1200 Fax: +44 20 7253 4433
Public Email: postbox@leighday.co.uk Website: www.leighday.co.uk
09:17:09

Dear Friend,
RE: MUTUAL BENEFICIAL RELATIONMSHIP.

This is a personal business proposal addressed to you and I request that it be

treated

as such.

I am Barrister Gene Matthews, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney/sole

executor to the late Mr. Carlos Hernandez Garcia, Brazil Citizen, hereinafter referred

to

as 'my client' who worked as an independent oil magnate in my country and who

unfortunately, perished in the Madrid Plane Crash of 20th Aug; 2008 with his entire

family.

I am contacting you to assist in retrieving the money he deposited with a Finance

Security Company in Egypt, hoping he will use the money after his successful trip

for

purchase of Real Estates in his home country,Brazil. I am the only living person who

knows about this deposit as his personal attorney. I have the original C.of.D and

some

valid documents relating to the deposit in my possession. The trunk containing the

fund

was registered with the Security Vault as “Personal Effects”. The disguised intent

was to

safe-guard the fund.

I seek your consent therefore, to present you as the beneficiary, so that the

proceeds of

this deposit valued at USD$40M will be released to you and then you and I will share

the Money 60/40. I shall procure all extra/relevant/necessary legal documents that

would be needed to back up this claim we may make.

Upon the reciept of your reply,I will send you by fax or E-mail the next step to take.

I will

not fail to bring to your notice that this proposal is hitch-free and that you should

not

entertain any fear as the required arrangements have been made for the completion

of

this transaction thus protecting us from any trace or breach of law. I require only a

solemn confidentiality, honesty, transparency and sincerity of purpose on this.

NOTA BENE: PLEASE DO REPLY, USING ONLY MY PERSONAL CONTACTS

INSCRIBED BELOW:

Looking forward to your urgent response while hoping to be of great business

relationship with you.

Sincerely,

Gene Matthews, Esq.
Fax: + 44 844-774 3696
Email: gene_matthews01x@rediffmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam