419 scam: "Barr. Steve Bostock"<no.reply@godaddy.com> Re: Reply My Dear Friend.

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. Steve Bostock" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stevebostock45@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2017 01:54:53 -0800
Subject: Re: Reply My Dear Friend.

Dear Friend,

I am Barr. Steve Bostock, an attorney at law. A deceased client of mine that
shares the same last name with you, died as a result of a heart-related
condition in May 25th 2007.Leaving behind a deposit valued at $15.7 million
dollars. His heart condition was due to the death of all the members of his
family.

I want you to assist in distributing the money left behind by my client before
it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank.

The bank has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin. My proposition to
you is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary
of my late client. This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law, and you will share 30% of the
total sum for your assistance.

You are advised to contact me urgently on my private EMAIL:
Also do send the following information for further process
1). Your Full Name
2). Your Address
3). Your Telephone numbers/Mobile
4). Your Age and Occupation/Origin
I will be waiting urgently for your reply:

Best Regards,
Barr. Steve Bostock,

This communication links contained herein, is for the sole use of the intended
recipient and may contain information that is confidential or legally protected

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam