419 scam: "Mr Erick Gavan."<admin@live.com> Urgent response needed..

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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:
- "million pounds" (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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
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.
- erickgavan09@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Erick Gavan." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <erickgavan09@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 09:09:11 +0100
Subject: Urgent response needed..

Dear Sir/Ma'am

My name is Mr Erick Gavan from Haiti,i live in the United kingdom,I am 48 yrs old widower.I don’t know how you will understand my predicament and what I past true during the January 12 Earthquake disaster in my country.I lost my Wife and our only son, including my only brother and properties.My late Wife Laura died during the disaster. she was a big business icon and a philanthropist.

I'm planing on settling down in the United kingdom for the rest of my life after going through pains over the deaths of my family not like i usually frequent Haiti as I Worked for an oil exploiration company based here in the UK. This is a long story, as i hate to talk about the deaths of my family, but i strongly believe that GOD will surely see me true from this my present Health condition.however,I am looking for a trustworthy person or a fund manager with a GOD fearing heart, who will help me lay claims to a deposited money in the bank.

Furthermore, my late Wife Mrs Laura Briggs deposited the sum of £4.6 million Pounds (GBP) in a UK bank, before her death. She had plans of starting up a textile company before her sudden demise.i want you to claim this fund as his/her Surviving beneficiaries.This is because i was recently diagnosed of a severe heart problem which the doctor siad I may not survive.

This is a risk free transaction, I will invest this money with you in your country for security reasons, I will offer you 35% of the total sum, while 5% will be for any money spent,and 60% will be for investment purpose.

Furthermore,during the banking process a change of ownership will be made in your name as the new bonefide beneficiary of the deposited amount and also a deed of agreement will be prepared by a lawyer to avoid any breach of contract.

Finally,to proceed with this transaction the following information will be needed accordingly.

1}your full name

2]your postal house address

3]phone/fax numbers if any.

Immediately, you show interest,via this proposal,I will advise a lawyer to contact the bank for a change of ownership to your name as the new beneficiary.

I will appreciate your sense of human in this transaction.

Thank you, with regards.
Mr Erick Gavan
erickgavan09@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam