419 scam: "Alfred Hopewell" <info@kbri-islamabad.go.id> Proposition

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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
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.
- +447011164794 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Alfred Hopewell" <info@kbri-islamabad.go.id>
Reply-To: hopewellchambers@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:02:12 +0500 (West Asia Standard Time)
Subject: Proposition

ATTN:
My name is Alfred Hopewell, an American Attorney based in London England.
A Haitian deceased client of mine who wherein after shall be referred to
as my client died together with his family 12th, January 2010 as a result
of the Earthquake Disaster, During their last vacation in Haiti.
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/01/earthquake_in_haiti.html
I have contacted you to assist me in claiming the money left behind by my
late client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank
where this deposit valued at $8.5 million United States dollars was
lodged. The bank has issued me a last notice to contact the next of kin,
or the money will be confiscated and his account closed. My proposition to
you is to seek your consent to present you as my late client’s next of kin
and beneficiary of the funds, since they is no family member left nor next
of kin, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you in your
country. Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed percentage.
All legal documents to back up this claim as my real late client's
next-of-kin will be provided, All I require is your honest and
cooperation to enable us see this transaction through and transparency
during process. The process and transfer will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect you and me from any breach of the
law.
I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost
indulgence to keep this matter extraordinary confidential, whatever your
decision, while I await your prompt response. Please contact me at once to
indicate your interest; I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this
e-mail as soon as possible via email this transaction will be treated
private with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.

Do contact me via email giving me your contact number for faster
communication. When I get your reply, I will send you a detailed
explanation. However if this business proposal offends your moral values,
do accept my apology and ignore this message but if you are interested,
please do not hesitate to contact me and treat as very urgent.

Yours sincerely,

Barr. Alfred Hopewell
For: Hopewell Chambers
11 St Katherines Road,
Broxbourne, Herts, EN10 7LG
London, England.
Phone #: +447011164794

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam