419 scam: "Mr. Stephen Webster" <webster.stephen66@yahoo.com> CAN I TRUST YOU FOR THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY

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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:
- "million british 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)
- "websz@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.
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.
- +447031874783 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Stephen Webster" <webster.stephen66@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: websz@live.com
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:27:37 +0200 (CAT)
Subject: CAN I TRUST YOU FOR THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY

Hello,

I am Mr. Stephen Webster. Currently, I am the Executive Director in charge
of Credit and Foreign bills in Bank of Scotland (UK) PLC, 11 Earl Grey
Street Edinburgh EH3 9BN. I am in search of a trusted agent to assist in
the transfer of 4,000,000.00 GBP (Four Million British pounds Sterling)
and the subsequent investment in properties in your country.

You would be required to:
(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.

If you are willing to assist us in this transaction, your share of the sum
will be 30% of the 4,000,000.00 GBP, the other 65% for the parties
involved here and the remaining 5% will be set aside in case any expenses
occurred in both parties.

I would be more than pleased if you indicate your interest by indicating
your confidential private phone number/s in your positive response. I will
proceed to furnish you with detailed information on the procedures and
means on how the funds would be transferred or made available to you.

I await your IMMEDIATE response. And please call me immediately you
receive this message for more explanation. My telephone number
+447031874783 or +447031819717 AND PLEASE REPLY TO MY PRIATE EMAIL ADDRESS
FOR MORE DETAILS websz@live.com

Yours Sincerely
Mr. Stephen Webster
Bank of Scotland Plc.
11 Earl Grey Street
Edinburgh EH3 9BN.
United Kingdom

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam