419 scam: "KATHERINE RICH" <katherinerichh@live.com> 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)
- "30% for you " (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.)
- "katherinerichh@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348091509588 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- thebarrhenrybill1@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "KATHERINE RICH" <katherinerichh@live.com>
Reply-To: katherinerich@live.com
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:39:26 -0600
Subject: Dear Friend

Dear Friend,

I am Katherine Russell Rich, an Author and Business Woman,born in America
but presently in Spain where i have been for sometime receiving treatment
privately. My ordeal with cancer began 10 years ago and soon i was
deaf,bald, scrambled, and living in two worlds simultaneously: the world
of the ill, of treatments, exhaustion, and doctors focused on avoiding
malpractice suits; and the "normal" world,where business and Money making
mattered. I did all I could but the Devil is alternately wise and
wisecracking. My story is the story of a woman whohas been brought to her
knees several times, only to get up and learn to dance.Don't think I have
given up though I have given my life to Christ but I still want to do more
by giving all I have to the needy as the doctors say that the condition is
so bad that I can die in a matter of days and the pain is just unbearable.

I had a 30% share from an oil bloc which i acquired while doing contract
in Nigeria,i asked my attorney to sell off my share in the oil bloc due to
the tense stuation in Nigeria and moreover i cannot manage my share any
more due to my present situation.My share of the oil bloc has been sold
for (USD24.2M) and the sum is ready to be wired into a foreign account.I
need to invest this money in a charity foundation.I cannot do this due to
my present situation.I am contacting you so that you will stand in for me
as the next of Kin.I will process and furnish you with all necessary
documents through my attorney who will help you with the documentation
process as my next of Kin.To proceed please contact my attorney

Barr.Henry Bill
Email:thebarrhenrybill1@hotmail.com
Tel:+234-809-150-9588

At the end of this transaction we shall share 60% for me and 30% for you
and 10% for any expenses spent.I will also need you to help me invest my
share in Charity foundations in your country.We will discuss this after
the transaction is concluded.

You are very free to ask my attorney any question as regards this
transaction.You can also email me on katherinerichh@live.com though i am
hardly on the internet due to my present situation.

May God Bless You.
Regards,
Katherine Rich
GOD BLESS YOU

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam