419 scam: "Malik Watdah" <malik.watdah1@live.com> Compliment of the day

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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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "malik.watdah@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Malik Watdah" <malik.watdah1@live.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: malik.watdah@live.com
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:43:29 -0000 (GMT)
Subject: Compliment of the day

Good Day.

With regards on the matter above, I am Malik Watdah, the personal aid to
the late former Pakistan Prime Minister, Ms Benazir Bhutto. Two
consignments containing (22,000,000 Million Euros) for election campaign
purposes were supposedly moved from Dubai to Pakistan through a Security
Company.

Due to the sudden and untimely death of the former Prime Minister,
shipment of the consignments was put off by my order. At this very moment,
the consignments are held in Asia. I am currently in London. The shipment
of these consignments was and still is confidential. The knowledge of this
information is only known to four close confidantes of the late Ms Bhutto.
I am coming to you in confidence and I'm counting on your discretion in
this highly sensitive issue. I was assured that you are a person of high
credibility and standing. Hence, I need you to be our representative in
claiming the consignments from the security company. The shipment was sent
under a pseudonym as the late Ms Bhutto wanted to maintain anonymity.
However, none of us can claim these consignments as it would incur an
unpleasant situation with the current figure of power in Pakistan. I will
provide all necessary documentation for you as representative. A Power of
Attorney will be drafted in your name legally. . A Power of Attorney will
be drafted in your name legally. Upon agreement, we have come to
conclusion that 32% will be a handsome compensation for your
confidentiality, kindness and willingness in assisting us. One part of the
money will be used to start up the Bhutto's People Foundation as a tribute
to the amazing and charismatic Ms Benazir Bhutto. I hope you would be able
to consider and accept our proposition.

Further information or queries would be answered through email for the
time being for security purposes and as soon as I'm able to acquire a
secure phone line. I am looking forward towards your urgent reply.

Thank you.
Yours faithfully,

( Malik Watdah )
malik.watdah@live.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam