419 scam: "Mr. Kurt Richards"<watsonians@wanadoo.co.uk> Urgent Response Needed.

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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)
- "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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +2347059308673 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- jeffcomms@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Kurt Richards" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jeffcomms@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 19:36:03 +0100
Subject: Urgent Response Needed.

Dear Friend,

I am Mr. Kurt Richards from Norway, I am one of those that executed a contract in United Kingdom and Nigeria years ago and they refused to pay me, I had paid over $100,000.00 trying to get my payment all to no avail. So I decided to travel to United Kingdom to see things myself but at the end of the day i was unlucky, I deiced to go to Nigeria Embassy to report this matter, and I was directed by their Embassy to meet Barrister. Jeff Common in Nigeria who work with the Nigeria CONTRACT AWARD COMMITTEE, and I contacted him and he explained everything to him, He said that those people contacting us through emails are fake people who are trying to collect your money. Then he took me to Intercontinental Bank Plc, where my contract amount is currently deposited, I am the happiest man on this earth because I have received my contract funds of $800,000.00, Moreover Barrister. Jeff Common showed me the full information of those that have not received their payment.

I saw your name and email address as one of the beneficiary, and your contract amount, that is why I contacted you to inform you because i know you also been a victim of the Nigeria fraud, You have to contact the Barrister if you are interested claiming your fund and stop every communication with those people, below are his information below.

Contact Name: Barrister. Jeff Common
Email: jeffcomms@hotmail.com
Tel: +234-705-930-8673
Office Address: block 43 Kenny Street, Victoria Island Lagos Nigeria.

You really have to stop your dealings with those contacting you because they will dry you up until you have nothing to left with you.

Thank You and God you.

Mr. Kurt Richards.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam