419 scam: Mr. Maher al-Assad <UrgentRespond@user.com> 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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "consignment " (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)
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +27780934400 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- maherasss_b@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- made up my mind never to go back to my country (syrian) maherasss_b@hotmail.com i want to relocate immediately to a better country (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr. Maher al-Assad <UrgentRespond@user.com>
Reply-To: Maherasss_b@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2015 14:42:33 -0700
Subject: Investment Proposal

Dear Friend,
Very Urgent & Confidential

I know you do not know me before; I am Mr. Maher al-Assad, younger brother to Mr. Bashar al-Assad the President of Syrian. I got your contact information during my private search for a reliable and trustworthy person to carry out this urgent transaction with. In view of the political crisis happening in my country today, I discovered that my brother Mr. Bashar al-Assad is just trying to impose himself as a leader on his people who are not proud and satisfied with his present administration.

My brother sent me on a mission to South Africa to purchase fire arms which he intend to use in fighting a political war against his opponent so he can become the President again. I am not in support of his intentions but I do not have any other options than to do what he asked me. He provided the sum of US$19,000,000.00 (Nineteen Million United States Dollars), which we brought into South Africa through diplomatic means. On getting to South Africa, I found out that the person (Mr. Jacob Zuma President of South Africa) whom he instructed me to meet for the operation was under government probation for related crime and never want to get himself involved in such deals anymore. Since I have never been in support of my brother's intentions, I made up my mind never to go back to my country (Syrian) Maherasss_b@hotmail.com I want to relocate immediately to a better country especially in the Europe or order Asia Country, where I can have good investment with this money since I cannot stay here in South Africa.

My reason of contacting you is that, I want you to support me as my foreign partner to move the funds and myself out of South Africa as soon as possible. Presently, the funds are deposited as consignment with a depository Security company here in Johannesburg for safekeeping. I am willing to offer you 20% of the whole money for the inconveniences this will cost you why 5%for any expense incur on the process for your support in this transaction, while the remaining 75% will be for me to setup a profitable investment in your country through your guidance and directions.

As a matter of urgency, please do let me know if you can assist me in handling this transaction and the investment involve.

I anticipate your quick response

Best Regards.
Mr. Maher al-Assad
+27-780-934-400
Email-Maherasss_b@hotmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam