419 scam: "ahmad.hussain" <ahmad.hussain001@gmail.com> Greetings from Ahmad Alashoor

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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:
- "from the desk of" (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. )
- "million united states 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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- ahmad.hussain002@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "ahmad.hussain" <ahmad.hussain001@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <ahmad.hussain002@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2010 10:20:00 -0800
Subject: Greetings from Ahmad Alashoor

From The Desk of Mr., Ahmad H. Alashoor
Dubai-United Arab Emirates.
REQUEST FOR URGENT ASSISTANCE.

Greetings from Ahmad Alashoor,

I know this letter must come to you as a big surprise, but I believe it is only a day that people meet and become great friends and business partners. I am Ahmad Hussain Alashoor, A Saudi Arabian National. Currently Head of Corporate affairs with a reputable bank here in Dubai-United Arab Emirates.

I have the opportunity of transferring the left over funds of US$12,500, 000.00 (Twelve Million Five hundred Thousand Dollars only) of our bank deceased customer late Mr. Paul Louis Halley, a France national. Who died on (Oxford shire/4537663) along with his family on a plane crash below:

http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/4537663.stm

The Bank wrote to me not long ago, asking me to provide the next of kin to my late client or have his account confiscated within the next twenty one official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives, I now seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you are a foreigner, so that the proceeds of this account valued at 12.5 million United States dollars can be paid to you.

As the Account Officer to late Mr. Louis Halley, coupled with my present position and status in the bank as Head of Retail Banking Group, I have the power to influence the release of the funds to any foreigner that comes up as the next of kin to the account with the correct information concerning the account, which I shall give you.

If you accept, we can discuss your percentage. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest co operation to enable us seeing this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

I await your urgent response. While responding, include your telephone number, so that I can call you to discuss the process of this transfer.

Thanking you in advance and May God blesses you. Please, treat with utmost confidentiality

Please contact me through my alternative email address: Ahmad.Hussain002@gmail.com

Respectfully Yours,

Ahmad Alashoor.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam