419 scam: " BANK LONDON"<michaelpeterson00002009@gmail.com> MR. MICHAEL PETERSON. PROPOSALLABLE FOR PICK UPŒë¸"

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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:
- "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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- +447045728610 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- michaelpeterson@financier.com (Financier; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: " BANK LONDON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <michaelpeterson00002008@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 02:26:44 +0100
Subject: MR. MICHAEL PETERSON.

NATWEST BANK LONDON
FOREIGN OPERATION DEPARTMENT
BISHOPSGATE LONDON, EC2M3UR UK.
Phone: 44-70457-28610, Cell 44-70457-31762
Fax: 44-70059-61256.
Email: michaelpeterson@financier.com

Good day,

Congratulations to you.

Based on the instruction given to the NatWest Bank London, by the United Nations concerning your inheritance fund willed to you. Please be inform that we have issued in your name this attached International Certified Bank Draft, through our bank- the NatWest Bank London which I have attached in this message; Now you should go immediately to your bank to verily, and confirm with your bank if the bank draft is ok, before I will send the original copy of this Bank Draft to you.

The NatWest Bank London issued only £1,000,000.00 (One Million Pounds) Bank Draft to verify if your bank account is capable of receiving the whole amount of your fund. So confirm to us if your bank account is capable of receiving the whole amount of your fund by sending your bank name and address because we will be dealing with your bank directly till your fund is credited into your bank account, and your own personal mailing address and telephone and fax numbers where the original copy of the bank draft will be delivered to. It is very necessary you respond to this mail as it is urgent based on the instruction given to us by the United Nations to undertake and release your inheritance funds within 72 hours from the day we receive the confirmation of the above.

Therefore we implore you to co-operate by complying as per contained in this mail to enable us deliver our mandate, please also confirm if you received the attached bank draft, do that immediately.

MR. MICHAEL PETERSON.
PAYMENT SUPERVISORY OFFICER.
NATWEST BANK LONDON

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam