419 scam: "Advocatenkantoor Van Smith Bv"<OsswaldHans-Peter@live.nl> Response.

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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)
- "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. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "advocaat" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "info_desk@mcom.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "info_desk@mcom.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- +31684424509 (Netherlands, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Advocatenkantoor Van Smith Bv" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info_desk@mcom.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:19:16 +0100
Subject: Response.

Dear Friend

I am Van Smith a Advocaat at law. I was the personal Attorney to Late Boguslaw Krupa ,53 years of age who made a fixed deposit of fund valued at USD$12,500,000 (Twelve Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) with a Finance Company here in Europe and unfortunately lost his life a plane crash. Ref: view
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/04/20104107407467926.html

He left no clear beneficiary as Next of Kin except some vital documents related to the deposit still in my possession. Upon a clear and legitimate agreement with you, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin, so that my late client's funds will not be confiscated by the Financial Authority.

You will be entitled to 40% of the total fund, 50% for me while 10% is to be marked out for any expenses that will be incurred during the clearance process of transfer of the fund to your bank account. Be informed that there is no risk involved as all necessary legal documents that will be used to back you up as the legal beneficiary and next of kin of my late client will be procured.

Kindly, get in touch with me by my E-mail (info_desk@mcom.com) or telephone (+31-684-424-509) to enable us discuss further; you may also send your telephone number so that I can call you. Do not forget that a transaction of this magnitude requires utmost confidentiality and sincerity.

I look forward to your urgent response.

Thank you
Advocaat Van Smith
Tel: +31-684-424-509
Email:info_desk@mcom.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam