419 scam: INFORMATION <union.org@london.com> (PRIVATE MAIL) WAITING FOR YOUR 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:

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:
- "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.)
- "barr." (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 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.
- barr.thomsesq@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: INFORMATION <union.org@london.com>
Reply-To: barr.thomsesq@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:45:18 +0100
Subject: (PRIVATE MAIL) WAITING FOR YOUR REPLY

Good day,On behalf of the trustees and executor of the estate of Late
Andreas Schranner.I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter
was returned undelivered.I hereby attempt to reach you again by this
same email address on the WILL.I wish to notify you that late Andreas
Schranner made you a beneficiary in his WILL.He left the sum of Five
Million,One Hundred Thousand Dollars(USD $5, 100,000.00)to you in the
Codicil and last testament to his WILL.This may sound strange and
unbelievable to you,but it is real and true.Being a widely traveled
man, he said he met you sometime in the past or simply you were
nominated to him by one of his numerous friends abroad who must have
wished you good(I am not too sure). Mr.Andreas Schranner died in
aplane crash accident.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm Andreas Schranner
until his death was a member of the German property magnate with the
United Kingdom Solid Minerals Corporation.You are advised to contact
Barrister Cruise Thomas Esq with your informations,Email:
barr.thomsesq@gmail.com Details of late Andreas Schranner will be
sent to you after the reply of your mail. Cooper S.A. Esq.Principal.

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What can you do when you receive 419 spam