419 scam: W.S.H.Laidlaw <sam@info.org> Join Me In This

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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- slaidlawh@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: W.S.H.Laidlaw <sam@info.org>
Reply-To: slaidlawh@gmail.com
Date: 16 Apr 2013 11:43:23 +0200
Subject: Join Me In This

Dear Friend,

I want you to be patient and read through the content of this mail to
understand how we intend making you the sole beneficiary of the entire
funds without complication and hitch free process.

I am Mr. W S H Laidlaw, Chief Executive Officer of Centrica plc, Director
HSBC and A member of the Remuneration Committee.

A late client in our bank who was an investor made a numbered Fixed
deposit for 48 calendar months, with a value of $224,500,000.00 USD (Two
Hundred and Twenty Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand United State
Dollars Only) in my bank HSBC Bank USA.

Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a
foreigner to stand as the next of kin to my client so that you will be
able to receive his funds. I have transferred the entire funds (Two
Hundred and Twenty Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand United State
Dollars Only) to an affiliate online bank before my Government would take
custody of the funds due to no beneficiary and no one will ever come
forward to claim it.

REQUIREMENT AS A NEXT OF KIN:

I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall
come out successful. I am in contact with an attorney that will prepare
the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to my late
client through obtaining the required document including the Certificate
of Deposit to be issued in your name. After you have been made the next of
kin, the attorney will also file in for claims on your behalf and secure
the necessary approval and letter of probate in your favor for onward
custody of the funds by you from the online bank.

There is no risk involved in the matter as we are going to adopt a
legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary
documents. Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters
concerning this issue. The funds is currently in custody of the online
bank awaiting claim I would provide you the necessary paper works to
forward to the online bank as confirmation that you are taking custody of
the transferred funds and once the entire funds have been transferred to
your home bank account from the online bank we shall share in the ratio of
50% each as Partners in this deal which I plan on investing my share of
the funds in your country as co-partner with you.

For the attorney to begin the paperwork’s processing on your behalf, the
below complete information’s would be required:

Full Names:
Age:
Full Contact/Postal Address:
Occupation:
Direct Phone Number:
Fax Number:

Your earliest response and decision to this detailed mail will be very
much appreciated.

Regards,
Mr. W. S. H. Laidlaw.
slaidlawh@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam