419 scam: "MATTHIAS ASIH ESQ." <bm_justice@yahoo.com> HELLO DEAR FRIEND

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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:
- "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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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.
- +2348160538194
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.
- mema_sls0@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "MATTHIAS ASIH ESQ." <bm_justice@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: <scewa_1234567@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 15:50:42 +0000
Subject: HELLO DEAR FRIEND

--

--
Hello Dear ,

I must confess it's a great pleasure to admit my impeccable gratitude to
have you as my honored personality. My decision to contact you today is
because I got a reference about you from your country's data base. I am
Barrister Matthias Asih ESQ, and the legal adviser to Late ENGR. KIM NORRIS
, a national of your country who used to work with shell Development
company, hereafter shall be referred to as my client.

The fatal Air-crash of DANA AIRCRAFT that happened at Iju-Ishaga area of
Lagos on the 3rd of June 2012 expires the life of my client. Please kindly
view the scene of the incident:
(http://naijagists.com/dana-plane-crash-victims-ncaa-releases-names-pictures-of-recovered-bodies/),
Since then as his account officer, I have made several inquiries to his
embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives which proved
unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name
over the Internet through his country's data base in other to locate any
member of his family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist
in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they
get confiscated or declared on-serviceable by the Bank.

This huge deposits that valued at about $1.5 Billion US Dollars was lodged
Particularly with SKYE BANK PLC. The bank through our CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER (CEO) has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the
account confiscated. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the
relatives for over 1 year now I seek your consent to present you as the
next of kin of the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at
$1.5 Billion US Dollars can be paid to you and then you and I can share the
money,70% to me while 30% to you, All the necessary documentation that will
be needed to back up this claim will be procured by me .

All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this
deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. I will also
forward to you the Bank's contact address as soon as you notify me of your
interest for your confirmation and verification. which will enable me start
the procurement of your legal documentations.

Finally, call me or revert back to me through my private email id
mema_sls0@yahoo.co.jp

Best Regards,

Barrister Matthias Asih,
+234-816-053-8194

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam