419 scam: "Vinod Singh (Esq)"<v_singh@blumail.org> Re: Please Get Intouch ASAP

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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)
- "trust is our watchword" (the question is not whether they can trust you, but whether you have any reason to trust this person or anyone this person tells you to contact)
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: "Vinod Singh (Esq)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <v.singh@blumail.org>
Date: Mon, 7 May 2012 01:30:43 +0800
Subject: Re: Please Get Intouch ASAP

Dear Friend,

RE : THIS IS NOT A SALE, SOLICITATION OR SPAM.

I am writing on behalf of my client, following an Opportunity in my office that will be of immense benefit to my client and us. My client was a top government official in another country,I was his personal attorney, who monitored all his investment for him here. My client's bank account with one of the banks has been frozen due to some diminutive investigation on my client. My client is a very rich man, worth over $2 billion USD (investment and cash).

Now, All we need from you is to let us know if you are interested before we give you more information. If you decide to help us, I will assure you that you would gain a lot from my client, as he is a very good man with the fear of God in him. The reason I am doing this for him is because he has helped my family and I, in fact my life changed when I met this man and I am 100% convinced that yours would change dramatically if you work with us.

The amount in question is very large so you alone cannot receive this cash. I intend to use 2-3 people to conclude this transfer and the process shouldn't take more than Fourteen (14) official days.

Lastly, For Transparency I will fully outline the sharing pattern, we have agreed to give you a non-negotiable 20%, of the total money transferred and believe me, it is a lot of cash. Once the funds are in the bank, we would then meet in a suitable place to discuss final disbursement according to the percentages indicated above. Honesty is the success of this business and trust is our watchword.

Best regards

Advocate Vinod Singh (Esq)
Attorney-at-Law

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam