419 scam: Brian Arsenault <brianarsenault@sutton.com> 25th June 2010/REPLYMYSTERY SHOPPER WANTED US$15,500PŒë¸"

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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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Brian Arsenault <brianarsenault@sutton.com>
Reply-To: Marcus Chang <marcuschang@itimes.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:44:39 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: 25th June 2010/REPLY

Dear Friend,
I write to solicit your assistanceÂ about a deal on an investment accounttotaling 10.5million USD of late Mr. Alfred who is deceased and has leftno blood relative as next of kin to be the beneficiary of these funds.
My proposal to you is that since I have exclusive access to his file, youwill be made the beneficiary of these funds. On verification, which willbe the details I make available to Bank holding the funds, my companythrough our lawyer will instruct the bank to make payments to you.I knowthis sounds a bit heavy and complex but believe and trust me as it isachievable.
This practice is not unusual in the banking sector here in China. Theother option is that the funds will revert back to the state, where it maybe shared by State officials.At the successful completion of this projectwe shall split the funds 50/50 between us.
Nothing ventured is nothing gained and that success and riches never comeeasy or on a platter of gold. This is the one truth I have learned from myprivate investment clients, We should act swiftly on this if you are inagreement , please get back to me immediately, I am contacting youindependently and no one is informed of this communication. Please do keepthis confidential.
I await your prompt response on my private email. marcuschang@rcweb.net
Regards,Marcus Chang

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam