419 scam: "Attorney Richards K. Alexander"<attorneyrichardsk@helpdesk.net> Hello

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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.

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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)
- "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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Attorney Richards K. Alexander" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <attorneyrichardsk@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2012 12:28:15 -0400
Subject: Hello

Dear Friend,

I got your contact information from a reputable business/professional directory of your country which gives me assurance of your legibility as a person. I am Attorney Richards K. Alexander, a solicitor at law. I was the personal attorney to Eng, John McPherson, a citizen of United Kingdom who used to Work with an oil servicing company in United Kingdom after which be referred to as my client. Eng, John McPherson 62 years of age made a fixed deposit of fund valued at USD$14,500,000 (Fourteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) with a Security Company/Finance institution in United Kingdom and unfortunately lost his life in one of the bomb blast in Iraq, see link for verification (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8127222.stm) He left no clear beneficiary as Next of Kin except Some vital documents related to the deposit still in my possession.

Recently, the governing body of the Security Company/Finance institution contacted me on this matter, requesting that I should notify the next of kin of my late client to claim the funds and I am yet to provide the Next of Kin to lay claims to the Fund. I know that my client had no living next of kin but i have made lots of search to see if i can get in contact to any of his relatives but my search was fruitless to locate any of my late clients extended relatives. 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 fund will not be confiscated by the Financial Regulatory Authority. You and I will share the money, you will be entitled to 40% of the total fund for your role as the relative and next of kin of my late client, 60% for me. Be informed that there is no risk involved as all necessary legal document which will be used to back you up as the legal beneficiary and next of kin of my late client will be procured. All I require is your s

Thank you,
Attorney Richards K. Alexander

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam