419 scam: "Odd Vorhaug" <odd@teamconsult.no> VS: [SPAM]: My Dear Friend

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million pounds" (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)
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.
- djames024@poczta.onet.pl (Poczta, Poland; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Odd Vorhaug" <odd@teamconsult.no>
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2010 10:47:21 +0200
Subject: VS: [SPAM]: My Dear Friend

-----Opprinnelig melding-----
Fra: David James [mailto:djames024@poczta.onet.pl]
Sendt: 7. juni 2010 16:39
Til: undisclosed-recipients:
Emne: [SPAM]: My Dear Friend

From: David James.
Cannon Street, London EC4M 5SE,
London, UK

My Dear Friend,

I did a lot of searching before choosing your contact from your country's
website and business online register. It is with trust and sincerity that I
approach you for assistance to transfer some funds into your bank account.
Please do accept my apology if my mail infringes on your personal ethics. My
name is David James, A Private Lawyer based here in London. Honestly it will
be my humble pleasure if we can work together.

I would like you to act as the next of kin to my deceased client who made a
deposit of Six Million Pounds Only with a Finance House here in London few
years back. He died in an auto crash with his wife and only child without
any registered next of kin and as such the funds now have an open
beneficiary mandate with a Finance House here in London. This means that any
person from your country can act as the next of kin of the deceased person
for claiming the inheritance funds without any risk involved.

If you are interested in this transactions, Please do let me know
immediately so that I can give you comprehensive details on how to proceed.
I urgently hope to get your response as soon as possible via my email
address above.

Regards,
David James

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam