419 scam: "Investment Consultant"<piscis@telviso.com.ar> Investment proposal

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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- colebankersmith@yahoo.de (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Investment Consultant" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barristercolesmithtogo@yahoo.com.au>
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2014 06:46:52 -0500
Subject: Investment proposal

Good-Day to you,

I am Glad to contact you, I got your contact from Internet .My name is Mr.Cole Smith a Lawyer based in Togo West Africa.I Have a client that wanted to invest in Hotel/Transportation,Agriculture and Real Estate in your country,and i was mandatory to find a capable person,company,group that we can work together with in your country.

My client is ready, and willing to enter into partnership with any company or individual. Also, ready to invest in any business that you think we can make huge profit margin base on your advice to me.You know much about your country more than i do. My client budget between US$ 45 - US$ 70 Million worth of investment that will be completed within two years. Please note; This is not an e-mail solicitation and should be treated with utmost urgency, as we are bound to receive many proposals from interested prospective partners.

Mail acknowledgement and urgent reply requested.

Accept my assurances of highest esteem.

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Cole smith ,
(Principal Partner)
colebankersmith@yahoo.de

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam