419 scam: "CHRISTINE WEIR" <info@weircharitabletrust.co.uk> THIS IS A BLESSING.

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- deptofjustice_boris@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "CHRISTINE WEIR" <info@weircharitabletrust.co.uk>
Reply-To: deptofjustice_boris@aol.com
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2015 14:56:35 -0700
Subject: THIS IS A BLESSING.

Dear Friend

My name is Christine Weir and i live in Scotland, My husband and I scooped 161 million on the EuroMillions lottery in July 2011 - the largest jackpot won in Europe and have voluntarily decided to donate the sum of One Million United States Dollars ($1,000,000) to you as part of our own 2015 charity project to improve the life's of 5 lucky individuals all over the continents of the world. Our Weir Charitable Trust aims to support Scottish groups, individuals or other charities providing services in the country. We are delighted that the Weir Charitable Trust is now open since we won the EuroMillions lottery, it has been a privilege to be in a position to provide support where we could and we have been looking at finding a more structured way to share our good fortune on an ongoing basis across Scotland.

You can verify our winnings, please see our interview by visiting the web page below:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3697016/EuroMillions-winners-Colin-and-Chris-Weir-161653000-smackers.html

http://metro.co.uk/2011/07/15/euromillions-winners-colin-and-chris-weir-we-didnt-sleep-all-night-78569/

This idea of compensating 5 lucky people was originated by me and i want this to be confidential to avoid public and government official notice. I have secretly deposited the sum of $1,000,000.00 in an Offshore Account which is ready to be released to you once you contact my lawyer Mr. Harper Mcleod with the following information below:

(ATTORNEY CONTACT)
Name: HARPER MCLEOD
Email: deptofjustice_boris@aol.com

Contact him now and send him (1) Your full names, (2) Your contact Address, (3) Your mobile phone numbers, so he can guide you on receiving your funds nominated to you as part of my personal charity.

I know you must be excited and very happy about this news you have just received from me and the truth is that i am secretly doing this to put smiles into homes and hearts of people worldwide. Once again congratulation from all staff of Weir Charitable Trust.

To know more about me please view my biography: http://www.astro.com/astro-databank/Weir,_Chris

Signed
Christine Weir
Weir Charitable Trust
27 Maritime Street
Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6SE

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam