419 scam: "Barrister Malik Sambo"<maliksambo1@o2.pl> Be His Relative

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "huge deposit" (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)
- "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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- +2347056263998 (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.
- maliksambo@o2.pl (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister Malik Sambo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <maliksambo@o2.pl>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:59:27 -0700
Subject: Be His Relative

Barrister Malik Sambo
Plot 54, Ikosi Estate Lagos
Email: maliksambo@o2.pl
Tel: + 234-70 56263998

Attention Sir,

I am barrister Malik Sambo, a solicitor at law and the personal attorney to
my late client a national of your country who used to be a private
contractor with the Shell Petroleum Development Company, Lagos, herein
after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2007, my
client Mr. Abdullah, his wife and their three children were involved
in an auto accident along Sagama Express Road, all occupants of the vehicle
unfortunately lost their lives and since then, I have made several
inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my client's extended relatives.
This has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his last Name
over the internet to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you
to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client
before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where
these huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the INTERCONTINENTAL BANK
PLC where the deceased had an account valued at about $77 million U.S.
dollars. The bank has issued me a notice to provide an INHERITANT or have
the account Confiscated within the next six months.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over three
Years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the
Deceased since your from the same country with him so that the proceeds of
this account Valued at $77 Million dollars can be paid to you and then you
and me can share The money as thus 40% for me, 40% for you, 20% To cover up
any expenses we might incur during the course of this transaction. I will
procure all necessary legal documents that can be used to back you up as
the next of kin. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us See
this transaction through. I guarantee you that this will be executed under
A legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Your Full name
Your full address
Your phone number

Best regards,
Barrister Malik Sambo

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam