419 scam: "Michael Richard" <richmichael1001@hotmail.com> MUTUAL BUSINESS RELATIONS

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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:
- "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)
- ",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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Michael Richard" <richmichael1001@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: michael.richard2009@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 11:51:19 +0300 (EEST)
Subject: MUTUAL BUSINESS RELATIONS

Dearest Friend,

Please, I want to introduce myself and this business opportunity to
you.

My name is Mr Michael Richard, a bank accountant,I will need your
assistance in this business transaction.I would like you to stand as the
next of kin to my deceased customer,name Late Roger Wright, the CEO of
Arsenal Investments whom died in a plane crash on the 22nd May 2009.I
don't know if you've heard of the news but you can check the links below
to confirm it:

REUTERS: http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE54M1PT20090523
ARTICLES:
http://article.wn.com/view/2009/05/24/Brazil_plane_crash_kills_10_family_members/
CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/05/23/brazil.crash/
MIRROR:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/05/25/plane-crash-kills-family-115875-21387147/

He was a wealthy sum of 56,000,000 (Fifty six million dollars). with our
bank.He died without any registered next of kin and as such the funds now
have an open beneficiary mandate. If you are interested please do let me
have your private telephone number so that I can give you comprehensive
details on what we are to do. Send me the following information:

1. Your Full name :
2. Your private telephone and fax number :
3. Your occupation :
4. Your home or office address :

I urgently hope to get your response as soon as possible. Reply to my
private email: richardmichael101@live.com

Best Regards,

Michael Richard

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam