419 scam: "Joe Crawford"<mubilla@enredchile.uk> GOOD 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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Joe Crawford" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <joe.crawf@blumail.org>
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2012 15:30:09 -0800
Subject: GOOD DAY

Dear Friend,

Hope you are doing good?

Firstly, I must solicit your strictest confidence in this subject. This is by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential and top secret. I am Joe Crawford from England, a legal solicitor practicing in the field of business disputes and litigation, Will and Estate disputes, inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 applications.

I am contacting you regarding the sum in the amount of two million British Pounds deposited by my deceased client at a vault in Malaysia. This deposit was made in the year 2005 and his unfortunate death transpired on August 8th 2007. After notifying the deposit firm about his demise, I launched a search into finding any of his close relative. My search proved abortive due to the ambiguity of his identity and I am yet to notify the deposit firm whom are still awaiting the result of my search.

Sequel to the last notice received from the firm; by year end, the deposit shall been declared unserviceable and remitted to the government reserve thus, the portfolio would be out of reach and a claim cannot be filed. After a careful evaluation, I have decided to claim this funds but being the lawyer to the deceased, I am in no position to claim this funds. Therefore, I am contacting you in good faith, being a foreigner to receive this funds, acting as a long distant relative.

I have also decided upon conclusion, we get 45% each and 10% shall be directed to charities of our choice. Do affirm your willingness to cooperate with me and kindly provide your direct phone and fax numbers. If you have any question or require any further clarifications, please feel free to contact me.

Looking forward to your response.

Regards,
Joe Crawford

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam