419 scam: "Mr. Bryan E. Coleman" <brayan.cole@mail.com> Re:thank you.

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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)
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +447424954950
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.
- brayan.cole@mail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Bryan E. Coleman" <brayan.cole@mail.com>
Reply-To: <colemanbrayan@mail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 22:44:55 +0000
Subject: Re:thank you.

--
Mr. Bryan E. Coleman
Tel: +(44)742 495 4950
Fax: +(44)203 070 0895

Dear Sir/Madam,

It is with pleasure I write you this letter to introduce a business
transaction that will be of mutual benefit to both of us. I am a trained
Projects Director and a Business Development Executive, I have 15 years
working experience in both the public and private sector. I am the Managing
Director of one of UK's leading Investment Companies.

I understand the initial scepticism that greets most business proposition
of this nature but I assure you, it is very lucrative and also legitimate.
Due to the highly sensitive nature of this business transaction, I will
give you a simple overview of what it entails. Your response or interest
will determine why I will divulge more information to you. We are very
serious minded people and we expect to engage with a serious minded partner
in order for us to achieve success in this endeavour.

Business Overview

In July 2011, the Government of China awarded a contract to one of our
major clients for the re-construction of the Qingdao North Railway Station,
valued at 0 million dollars. Our clients completed the first two miles
stones of the project and were paid 25% advance payment of the total
contract sum. The remaining part of the job was still ongoing when a top
government functionary approached our client to inform them that they were
re awarding the same contract in the 2014 national budget. The main purpose
is to share the proceeds among themselves while the project is still
ongoing. After much consideration, it was resolved that I search for a
foreign partner who will assist them in transferring these monies out of
China as soon as an advance payment is made by the government.

It is against the law for government officials to have foreign accounts
overseas, hence my proposal to you. We want you to act as suppliers of
construction materials used on site to enable them process an advanced
payment directly to you in your company name. You have absolutely nothing
to fear or worry about because it is a legitimate transaction. The actual
contract is ongoing and the original contractors are still working on site.
You are only responsible for providing logistics for the transfer of the
advanced payment for safe lodgement and disbursement at the end of the
transaction.

If you are interested in this deal, I will be expecting a reply from you.
Your percentage will be clearly defined so that we have a good
understanding. Please note, your professional or line of business is worth
knowing but it is not relevant to this business transaction.

Best Regards,

Bryan E. Coleman
Tel: +(44)742 495 4950
Fax: +(44)203 070 0895
Email: brayan.cole@mail.com

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