419 scam: "BINGHAM McCUTCHEN LLP"<prashanthrkashyap@sit.ac.in> Proposal!!!

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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
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.
- +447031856888 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- russel_barry@kimo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "BINGHAM McCUTCHEN LLP" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <russel_barry@kimo.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:02:41 +0800
Subject: Proposal!!!

BINGHAM McCUTCHEN LLP
41 Lothbury London, EC2R 7HF United Kingdom
Hello friend,

I know that we do not know each other personally but hopefully we would in due course. I am Mr. Barry Russel, an Attorney at Law in UK and I have a business suggestion/deal to share with you which will be of huge benefits to both of us.

In June, 2004, a deceased client of mine who was certain Crude oil merchant made a Fixed (Numbered) deposit of Fifteen Million U.S Dollars ($15,000,000.00 US) in a Bank here in UK. Upon maturity,the bank has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated. I found out that he died without making a WILL, and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless. I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this deposit valued at Fifteen million Usd (15 Million USD) is lodged.

I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall come out successful. I shall employ the services of an attorney that will prepare the necessary documents that will back you up as the next of kin/sole beneficiary, and also he will be drafting and tarization of the WILL and as well obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your favor for the transfer.

There is a reward for this project and it is a task well worth undertaking. There is no risk involved at all in this transaction as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the attorney.Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account we shall have a fair share the funds equally; 50% for me, and 50% for you. I send you this mail not without a measure of fear as to what the consequences, but I know within me that nothing ventured is nothing gained and that success and wealth never comes easy or on a platter of gold. Please observe this instruction religiously.

Now, for us to successfully commence this business I will like to know you better to enable me trust you 100%. The need for trust in this business is due to the large sum involved and as such I will like you to provide me with a brief resume of yourself.

My personal email is : russel_barry@kimo.com
Tel No. +44703185 6888

Always Obliged,
Barrister Barry Russel.

Please reply to: russel_barry@kimo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam