419 scam: "Barr. Steve Richardson"<barr_steverichardson8@yahoo.co.jp> URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL

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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "search for a reliable person" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "huge deposit" (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)
- "million united states 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)
- ",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)
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- +27865178767 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
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.steverichardson1978@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. Steve Richardson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barr_steverichardson1978@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:30:37 -0600
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL

STEVE RICHARDSON & ASSOCIATES
Advocates – At –Law, Acting Solicitors, Notary Public, General Legal Practitioner, Conveyances, Commercial Law, Admiralty, Trust, Civil Litigation, Personal Injuries, Wills, Property Transaction
Regional Office: 209, Illovo Road Sandton, Johannesburg South Africa.
Tel: +27 10 500 95 19, Fax: +27 86 517 8767 Date: 2013-01-24

SUBJECT: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Barrister Steve Richardson of Richardson & Associates; I am the legal adviser to Engineer Faik Aziz, a Turkish National who used to be a contractor with (ANGLO GOLD MINES) Mafikeng. Gold Mining/ Exploration Corporation in South Africa hereinafter shall be referred to as my client. I got your contact from the Foreign Trade Department of the Turkish Embassy here in South Africa during my search for a reliable person overseas to assist me in this confidential business transaction.

On February 25, 2009 my client Mr. Faik Aziz lost his life in a Turkish Airline Plane Crash while coming to land in Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. Since then I have made several personal enquiries from the embassy to locate any of my client’s extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.

After several unsuccessful attempts, I now decided to inform you, hence I contacted you. I have sent you this letter to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were lodged, particularly the Amalgamated Bank of South Africa (ABSA), where the deceased had an account valued at about US$18,000,000.00 (Eighteen Million United States Dollars only). The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated though there are persons of same nationals here in South Africa non of them is a direct relative with the deceased and no one had an idea of this deposit.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over a period of time, I am seeking your consent to be presented as next of kin to the deceased hence all the necessary document presently in the name of my late client will be changed in your favour to file for the claim and for the fact that the bank has indicated their willingness to approve this fund to anybody that I will present as a relative to Mr. FAIK AZIZ, this amount valued at US$18,000,000.00 (Eighteen Million United States Dollars only) will be transferred into your designated account and I shall proceed down to your country on confirmation of the fund in your account to discuss with you on how to invest the money, meanwhile you will be required here (South Africa) to endorse your signature on some of the documents as the next of kin to the deceased once the fund has been approved by the bank.

I shall revalidate and notarize all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim the bank may require, this is a risk free transaction considering the arrangement being put in place with senior management of the bank for a smooth conclusion of this transaction without any hitch. I have resolved to give you 25% (US$4, 500, 00.00) for your assistance in this transaction, 5% (US$900,000.00) will be set aside for any expenses that will be incurred by both parties during the course of this transaction and the remaining 70% (US$12,600,000.00) will be for me. I guarantee you this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Please send your reply with this email: barr.steverichardson1978@gmail.com. You can also call me with the above telephone number or send a fax confirming the receipt of this letter. Your strong assurance and confidentiality is highly needed.

Best regards,

HON. STEVE RICHARDSON
(ATTORNEY)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam