419 scam: "Sir Kenneth Bloomfield (Esq.)" <leo@sunfeng.com.hk> CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICES

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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:
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
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.
- +447010043318 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Sir Kenneth Bloomfield (Esq.)" <leo@sunfeng.com.hk>
Reply-To: <startrekcourier38383838@38.lv>
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 19:32:48 -0800
Subject: CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICES

BRITISH NATIONAL FREELOTTO INC.
Registered in England and Wales
Company Reg No. 8471306
Registered Office: 1-3 Floor,
124 Baker Street, London,
England, W1U 6TY
****************************

(CUSTOMER SERVICES)
Date: 12/01/2014
Dear Lucky Winner,
Our Ref: UK99/7409
LOTTO LICENSE NO: UKN11785

This Email is to inform you that you have been emerged a winner on our online random draw played on the 03rd of May 2012. The draw is part of our Yearly Bonus to all Internet Explorer Users in order to enhance and promote the use of Internet and Microsoft-wares buyers around the globe.

The selection process was carried out randomly through our Computerize Email Pen Selection System along with others from over 125,000 website on Internet Service Provider (ISP) throughout the world Of which your Email Address was pick up attached to a Reference Number: AXE/0558/47672, Batch Number: 776/3656/5875, Ticket number: #0005476 in the “2ND CATEGORY B” matches 5 Bonuses which consequently won you the Sum of (952,000.00 British Pounds). It was selected along with others as winners.

This to notify you that you have therefore been Approved by the British National Freelotto Corporation Payment Services to claim a total Sum of 952,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty two Thousand Pounds Sterling) only in CASH/CHEQUE Credited to File Number: LGR00/6867/237. Your particulars have been documented for record purposes and your WINNING CERTIFICATE and CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT CHEQUE has been sealed and protected by the UK Government Hard-Cover Law Policies before giving to the APPROVE COURIER COMPANY for Onward Delivery to you.

CLAIMS RELEASE VERIFICATION FORM
* Full Name ____________________________
* Marital Status _______________________
* Sex ________________ Age _____________
* Nationality __________________________
* Occupation ___________________________
* Home Tel _____________________________
* Mobile _____________ Fax _____________
* Address ______________________________
* City ______________ State ____________
* Country of Residence _________________
* Alternate Email ______________________
* Winning License Number _______________
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR COMPLETE WINNING DETAILS.

With regards to this, you are to send your filled copy of the Above Claims Verification Form to the Approved Courier Department E-mail Address for Verification Purposes by them before the delivery of your Winning Funds/Parcel can be delivered to your resident address provided to them. Below are the Courier Dispatch Officer details?

COMPANY NAME: STAR TREK EXPRESS COURIERS LTD.
DISPATCH OFFICER: Mr. James Maxwell
For More Enquiries Please Call:
Tel: +447010043318
Fax: +447017742896
Email: startrekcourier38383838@38.lv

NOTE: That they are the only Courier Company responsible for sending your original Winning Certificate and Certified Cheque/Check to you by couriering it, you are to oblige to all instructions from the courier delivery department so that you will be giving a Tracking number to monitor the arriving of your winning certificate and certified bank cheque in your present residential address on time. Endeavor to make your winnings confidential for security reason during the process of delivery your winning funds to you. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid complications and Unwarranted Abuse of this Program. Please Be Warned! Contact the now on email: startrekcourier38383838@38.lv

ONCE AGAIN WE SAY CONGRATULATIONS! FROM ALL THE MEMBERS OF STAFF HERE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING.

Signed.

Yours Truly,
Sir Kenneth Bloomfield (Esq.)
Coordinator Online Promo Programme.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam