419 scam: "Barr. Richard Thomas"<admin@htexam.net> Attention: 21-11-2013

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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:
- ",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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (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 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_richardthomas52@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. Richard Thomas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barr_richardthomas52@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 14:53:23 -0800
Subject: Attention: 21-11-2013

From Desk Of Barrister Richard Thomas
(An associate Member of Radcliffe Chambers)
Address:11 New Square, Lincoln's Inn London WC2A 3QB
DX: 319, London Uk.
Email: barr_richardthomas52@yahoo.co.jp

Attn: Sir,

I hope that my proposal will not affect your believes or religion. I have contacted you because you share the same last name with my client who I represent.

I represented a client who passed on due a heart-related condition and I believe with your assistance and for the reason that you share the same last name with my client, we can receive the investments/deposits of my deceased client ($15,500,000.00 USD) which he left in the Bank of East Asia New York before his death.

If you agree for my proposition and indicate your interest, please provide me with the following information below on this email address: (barr_richardthomas52@yahoo.co.jp) to enable us proceed and give you further guideline on how we will go about this transaction which will not take more than 14 working days to get the money transferred into your account from the Bank of East Asia New York.

1. Full Name:
2. Country:
3. Home Address:
4. Phone/Mobile Numbers:
5. Sex/Age:
6. Marital Status:
7. Occupation:

All I require now is your honest co-operation, confidentiality and trust until we achieve this aim which will definitely change our lives for good. I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law as I have all the proves and documents that I will present to the bank to enable them transfer the money into your account and I will offer you 40% of the total money and 55% will be for me while 5% for the expenses that we will incurred in the course of this transaction and be rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require your assitance to invest my share in your country.

I await your urgent response and corporation.

Thanks

Barr. Richard Thomas

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam