419 scam: "Mr. Andrew Bates"<addrewbates@shell.org> Hello Read and Act Immediately

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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.

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Andrew Bates" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <andrewbates777@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2015 09:22:05 -0600
Subject: Hello Read and Act Immediately

Dear Friend.

I am Andrew Bates. I am the Butler to Mr .Mark a national of your country, who used to work with Chevron Oil company in Nigeria as the Chief accountant of the company.

On the 21st of January 2015, my master, his wife and their three children were killed in a car harmbush along kaduna express road by suspected Boko Haram terrorist members. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my masters extended relatives.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet using facebook, whatsup, skype and other social media 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 master before the currupt goverment of this country declare the funds as unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the finance company where the deceased had an account valued at about USD$7.2 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the the relatives and now that I have found you I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at USD5.2 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money.70% to me and 30% to you I found all necessary legal documents in my masters bedroom that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require 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. Please get in touch with me by my email and send to me your telephone numbers to enable us discuss further about this deal.

Sincerely,

Andrew.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam