419 scam: "SKYE BANK PLC." <privateml4@gmail.com> ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?

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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 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)
- "my direct telephone number" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
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.
- skyebkplc22@googlemail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "SKYE BANK PLC." <privateml4@gmail.com>
Reply-To: skyebkplc22@googlemail.com
Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 21:54:13 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?

From:The Desk Of:
Mr.Paul Young
Director Payment Verification Department.
Skye Bank Plc.

Attn: Dear,

There is an issue with the SKYE BANK PLC ONLINE BANKING in the amount of $8
MILLION DOLLARS plus accrued interest of US$1.5MILLION directed in cash
credited to file KTU/ 9023118308/03, at the Owner of this email address
which has now been reverted to our reserve account In view of several
efforts already made by us to contact you for the following reasons based on
the new account submitted to this office on your behalf.

(1) My Office desks write to confirm if the application made on your behalf
by Mr. James Gribble that you are DEAD and submitted an affidavit signed
with your name and headed papers thus, empowering him to claim $9.5Million
on your behalf and to re-route your payment into a new bank account.

(2) Please, confirm to our department if you have instructed Mr. James
Gribble to appoint an attorney/agent on your behalf thereby asking that he
receive cash Remittance on your behalf.

(3) It has come to our notice that you are Being contacted by unauthorized
individuals with respect to your Compensation but unfortunately this office
is not aware of your Unofficial dealings and warned that it is at your own
risk.

(4) Please, also confirm if you have authorized Mr. James Gribble to change
your banking particulars to the following: particulars stated below: VACAP
Federal Credit Union, 1700 Robin Hood Road, Richmond, VA 23220. Account
number 32501.

Please, I wish to draw your attention and requesting that if you are still
alive, do reply this email immediately or call my direct telephone number so
that I can hear your voice and confirm that you are still alive. But if
within the next 48hours there is no response from you, it is confirmed that
you are dead as claimed and applied for.

BELOW IS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION WE NEED FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THIS
FUND.

1) Your Full Name.
2) Your Direct Phone, Fax and Mobile #.
3) Your Direct Contact Address.
4) Your Company Name,
5) Your Position
6) Profession, Age and Marital Status.
7) Working I.D/Int'l passport
8) Home Equity Yes/NO

I regret the shock this email might cause you if you are still alive while,
anticipating your urgent response via this email (skyebkplc22@googlemail.com
)

Best Regards,
Mr. Paul Young.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam