419 scam: "Mr. Xu Tony" <attmich@intrage.it> Reply Back to Me

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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:
- "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Xu Tony" <attmich@intrage.it>
Reply-To: pinatm@intrage.it
Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 12:20:31 +0300
Subject: Reply Back to Me

Attn:

I know this message might come to you as a surprise since we have not
met before
neither have we had any dealings in the past. But I strongly believe people
become friends or partners only but one day. I am Xu Tony by name, a Banker by
profession; I am working with Maybank Malaysia. I was newly transferred to
Maybank Off-shore Bank here in United Kingdom. I am holding the post
of Director
Auditing of the Bank.

During our last periodic audit, I discovered an Escrow Business Account with a
holding balance of $10,200,000.00 {Ten Million Two Hundred US
Dollars}. From my
investigation this account was opened in the year 2001 by one Engr.
Williams B.
Scott. But, since 2002 this account has not been operated.This has been a
frequently occurrences in the Banking Industry, some times people
Deposit money
and disappear to the tin air, leaving no information attached to the
account as
the NEXT OF KIN. And due Bank secrecy, Bank cannot publish notices in the
international press to locate their relatives since the account has no
name/phone number of whom to contact as the next of Kin.

Therefore, I am contacting you for a business Deal where this fund can be
transferred to you, and shared between you and me in the ratio of 50/50 for
investment purposes, in accordance with the British Law of Inheritance
that says
"an estate of a foreign Deceased without a WILL/leaving no Heir can be
claim by
a close or distant relation, business associate or any foreigner".
Meanwhile, I
am contacting you because our Bank will approve this fund for payment to any
foreigner who comes forward for the claim. Please be rest assured this
business
is 100% risk free on both sides and will be done according to the
British Law as
I already discussed it with a Lawyer Attorney here in UK to confirm
the legality
before contacting you.

I will issue more details about this Deal, until your response is received.

Regards,
Mr. Xu Tony.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam