419 scam: "Barr Simon Marsh" <contatti@bacomoda.it> URGENT ATTENTION

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr Simon Marsh" <contatti@bacomoda.it>
Reply-To: simonmarsh1975@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 07:32:50 +1100
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION

Good day,

My name is Barrister Simon Marsh, I am attorney to a late client who shares the same last name with you and also made investments with the "HSBC BANK". My client died in testate and nominated no successor in title over the investments ($USD 12,500,000) made with the bank.

However, I would like to intimate you with certain facts that I believe would be of interest to you. You share similar details (same lastname/surname) to my late client; I am prepared to place you as his available next-of-kin so his bank would pay the deposits to you as the closest surviving relation.

Upon receipt of the deposit, I am prepared to share the money with you, that is, I will simply nominate you as the next of kin and We share the proceeds 50/50. I assure you that I could have the deposit released to you within few days.

Finally, If you find yourself able to work with me and be of one accord, kindly revert to me asap.

Kind regards,

Barr. Simon Marsh.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam