419 scam: info@mmu.edu.my RE: Get back to me asap

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "because it still remains the fastest medium of communication" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "barrister" (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.
- limseng1961@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: limseng196152@yahoo.com.sg
Date: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 04:35:45 +0800
Subject: RE: Get back to me asap

Dear Friend,
Though the internet has been greatly abused, I choose to reach you through it because it still remains the fastest medium of communication. However strange or surprising this contact might seem to you as we have not meet personally or had any dealings in the past, I humbly ask that you take due consideration of its importance and immense benefit. Moreover, this is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you to honor it against your will.

I am Barrister Lim Seng Chen, an attorney at law. I am contacting you to seek your assistance in distributing money left behind by my deceased client, who happens to have the same last name as yours, before the money valued at Nine Million, One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$9.1 Million) is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank.

I have received a notice from the banking institution concerned to make contact with the next of kin of my deceased client as soon as possible or the account will be closed.

For more information, kindly contact me via my personal email: HYPERLINK "mailto: limseng1961@yahoo.com" limseng1961@yahoo.com

Best regards,
Lim Seng Chen
Attorney at Law
limseng1961@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam