419 scam: "Paul Watson & Co. Solicitors"<mark@luckygld.com> Re: Request For An Investment Funding In Your Company/Country

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 dollars" (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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "@lawyer.com" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
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.
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.
- +447011139071 (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.
- barr.paulwatson@lawyer.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Paul Watson & Co. Solicitors" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barr_paulwatson@lawyer.com>
Date: Tue, 29 May 2012 10:40:40 -0400
Subject: Re: Request For An Investment Funding In Your Company/Country

From:Paul Watson & Co Solicitors
6a Ryeground Lane
Liverpool, Merseyside
L37 7EQ
Date: 29-05-2012

Re: Request For An Investment Funding In Your Company/Country

I write to you based on a request by an investor and his need for investment/funding in your company. My name is Barrister Paul Watson, the Financial Consultant of Paul Watson & Co Solicitors.

My company most times represents the interests of very wealthy investors. Due to the sensitivity of the position they hold in their society and the unstable investment environment of their country, they evacuate majority of their funds into more stable economies and developed nations where they can get good yield for their funds.

A Reserved Client, whom I had personally worked with few years ago with a proposal, recently, approached me that he wants an individual/company that will assist him to invest the sum of $13. 2 Million Dollars on his behalf in a good profitable business in your company/country for a period of 15 years for a start.

We extend hands of investment to you with the intents of making good profit for us all and all we need from you to accomplish this is your total commitment, cooperation and trust.

Looking forward to hear from you soon,

Best regards.
Paul Watson & Co Solicitors
6a Ryeground Lane
Liverpool, Merseyside
L37 7EQ
Tel: +447011139071
Fax: +442071174872
Email: barr.paulwatson@lawyer.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam