419 scam: "Barr.Malachai"<malachai@yandex.com> MUTUAL BENEFIT

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- barristermalachaibruno@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr.Malachai" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barristermalachaibruno@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2014 14:57:01 +0100
Subject: MUTUAL BENEFIT

My Dear

I am Barr.Malachai Bruno (Esq.), a legal practitioner. My client who was a member board of trustees SPDC London was killed with his entire family in a fatal accident,sparing none of their lives, some years ago. Before his death, I assisted him in the deposit of some funds with a Security Company for safekeeping.The funds have remained unclaimed since his death, and such unclaimed funds are appropriated and returned to the treasury as a matter of policy. Considering the lack of success in my bid to locate any of his relatives for over a year now, I hereby solicit your consent to enable me present you as the Next of Kin to my deceased client.

I am contacting you for two reasons. Firstly, presenting you as the next of kin, which will makes the claim most credible. Secondly, I strongly believe that the Security Company does not deserve to inherit the funds, These reasons led to my resolve to claim the funds which was why I contacted you,With your permission, I will proceed to establish you as the next of kin/Beneficiary to my late client.

I would want you to furnish me with the following informations which will assist me in this claim,

1,FULL NAME :

2,CONTACT ADDRESS:

3,TELEPHONE AND FAX :

4,OCCUPATION :

These information will assist me to secure the necessary papers in your name When I receive your response.Reply to my private email : barristermalachaibruno@yahoo.com

I await your reply,

Barr.Malachai Bruno

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam