419 scam: office update <officeupdate611@yahoo.pt> GET BACK TO ME SOON

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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:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- "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)
- "barrister" (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.
- rollandbriggsxx@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: office update <officeupdate611@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: office update <rollandbriggsxx@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2015 16:49:22 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: GET BACK TO ME SOON

DearÂ Sir,

I am Roland Briggs(SAN) Solicitor and Notary Public. I am the Personal Attorney to Engr AllanÂ ,who is from your country,who used toÂ work with shell development company in Ghana. On the 21st of April 2010, my client,Wife and their only son involved in a car accident along Tema/Accra Express Road.

Unfortunately, they all lost their lives in the event of the accident,Since then I have made several inquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives and this has also proved unsuccessful,After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of his family but of no avail,hence I contacted you.

I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bankÂ where this huge deposits were lodged.Particularly, the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about US $10.5 million dollars.

Consequently,the bank issued me a notice to provideÂ the next of kin or have the account confiscated within a short time. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over some years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you are from the same country, so that theÂ proceeds of this account valued at US$10.5 million dollars can be paid to you for both of us to share the money; 70% to me and 25% to you,while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.i will provide most of the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up the claim,I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.Please get in touch with me through this email (rollandbriggsxx@gmail.com) to enable us discuss further.

Yours Faithfully
Barrister Roland Briggs LLB,BL
Principal Partner(Robriggs & Associates Chambers)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam