419 scam: <info4@claimsdesk.onmicrosoft.com> Dear Friend

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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)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "donericolawson@gmx.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- +34602471966 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: <info4@claimsdesk.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <donericolawson@gmx.com>
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 23:54:26 +0530
Subject: Dear Friend

Dear Friend

Firstly, I must solicit your confidence in this transaction; this is by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential and top secret. Though I know that a transaction of this magnitude will make any one apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that all will be well at the end of the day.
Let me start by introducing myself properly to you. It may surprise you receiving this letter from me, since there was no previous correspondence between us. My name is Don Erico Lawson. a personal Attorney to Late Mr Jim Balthus, a Palestine Origin who worked with Chinese Mining Company for Thirteen years.
He died along side with his immediate family during the Madrid Train Bombing, which occurred in 2004 since then all my several enquiries here to locate any of my clients extended relatives, has proved unsuccessful.
Before the catastrophe that claimed his life, he deposited One Trunk box/Diplomatic Personal Treasure containing $13.500.000.00(thirteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars Only) in CASH with a Safe keeping /finance company here in Spain. And due to security and personal reason, the exact content of the deposited diplomatic box was not disclosed as it was declared as Photographic Equipments / Auxiliary Materials.
The said Safe Keeping / finance company has mandated me to present a member of his family (heir/inheritor) to make claim or the vault will be confiscated and taken to the bureau of Diplomatic Security as unclaimed. With regards to this, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased so that the funds would be released to you for our disbursement on the ratio of 50:50 between us.
All I require of you is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this transaction would be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. You can get across to me via Tel+34-602 471 966 and Email: donericolawson@gmx.com for further clarification.
Do get back to me as well even when you are not willing to collaborate with me so as to further my search for other partner explanations.
Kindest Regards
Don Erico Lawson

Anti-fraud resources:

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