419 scam: "Rita Spencer Esq." <info@mcKenna.com> Mutual Benefit

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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- ritaspencer1974@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Rita Spencer Esq." <info@mcKenna.com>
Reply-To: ritaspencer1974@sify.com
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:53:30 +0200
Subject: Mutual Benefit

>From : Rita Spencer .
31 1st floor Morilo Marais Avenue,
London.

(URGENT TRANSACTION)
(Re: Transfer of $36,000,000)

Dear Sir / Madam,

My name is Rita Spencer, I work in the International operation department in
a Local Bank here in London .On a routine inspection I discovered a dormant
domiciliary account with a Balance of $36,000,000 (Thirty Six Million USD)
on further discreet investigation, I also discovered that the account holder
has long since passed away (dead) leaving no beneficiary to the account. The
bank will approve this money to any foreigner because the former operator of
the a/c is a foreigner and from Iraq in particular and I am certainly sure
that he is dead, and nobody will come again for the claim of this money A
foreigner can only claim this money with legal claims to the account Holder;
therefore I need your cooperation in this transaction.

I will provide the necessary information needed in order to claim this money,
But you will need to open an account where this can be transferred. If
interested send your private Telephone No. And Fax number including full
details of the account to be used for the Deposit I wish for utmost
confidentiality in handling this transaction as my job and the future of my
family would be
jeopardized if it were breached.

The informations will be as
follows..

Bank Name.........
Bank Address........
A/C
Name.............
A/C Number..............
Swift Code
No..............
Routing Number................

I want to assure you that the transaction is without risk if due process is
followed accordingly. Finally, I will give you 25% for your corporation. You
should try to Email me : ritaspencer1974@sify.com

I look forward to a favorable response from you.

Best Regards & God bless you and your family.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Rita Spencer

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam