419 scam: Richard Stafford <notify@egnyte.com> Richard Stafford has shared a folder with you.

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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:
- ",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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- richardstafford160@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Richard Stafford <notify@egnyte.com>
Reply-To: richardstafford160@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2013 17:10:05 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Richard Stafford has shared a folder with you.

Message from Egnyte

I've shared a folder with you using Egnyte.

Dear Sir, With all due respect, My name is Richard Stafford, an accountant with a Government owned Gold Refinery Company here in Nigeria. I wish you to help me lay claims to balance funds derived from a contract executed to our company by one of our contractors. The total contract sum was GPB158,109,000 and GBP140,000,000 has already been paid. Leaving a balance of GBP18,109,000. It is my intention to form a company with you when the funds are paid. My area of interest is Real Estate or any other investment of your great idea; I also desire absolute confidentiality and professionalism in this transaction. For more information, write to me via (richardstafford160@yahoo.com) with the following: (1) FULL NAMES: (2) DIRECT TELEPHONE NO: (3) HOME OR OFFICE ADDRESS (4) AGE AND OCCUPATION: I wait to hear from you soonest. Best Regard, Richard Stafford.

Documents

Share expires: Never

- Richard Stafford (richardstafford160@yahoo.com)

© 2013 Egnyte, Inc.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam