419 scam: "Emmanuel"<brianemmanuel225@yahoo.com.hk> THIS IS FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

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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:
- "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)
- "high court" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Emmanuel" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Brian_Emmanuel_esq@gmx.us>
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:16:22 -1100
Subject: THIS IS FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total sum of 45,600,000.00GBP (Four Five million Six hundred thousand British Pounds) in the intent of the deceased (Names withheld since this is our second email to you).We contacted you once again because you bear the surname identity, the notice once more has just been brought to our attention for the last time. Upon our mutual agreement, our Legal firm here will present you to the Probate as the new beneficiary to the inheritance since there is no written will.

Note that we can do this because of the surname identity. I will provide you with the necessary documents/legal services as part of our role, as our services include the preparation of Letters of administration and powers of attorney to our clients. So we could provide the necessary services so to secure the release of the money in your name as the next of kin.

All the papers will be processed In your acceptance of this deal, we request that you kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance, your current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable us file necessary documents at our high court probate division for the release of this sum of money.

Yours faithfully,

Brian Emmanuel.(ESQ)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam