419 scam: "Mr. Donald Stevenson" <Stevensongroups@stevenson.edu> PLEASE TREAT URGENT !!!!

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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:
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- +447937149995
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.
- stevensongroup@mail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: Stevensongroup@post.com
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 06:30:50 -0800
Subject: PLEASE TREAT URGENT !!!!

Hello.

I'm Donald Stevenson, principle partner at Stevenson & Associates. We specialize in Financial and Corporate Law and we are based in United Kingdom.

I am contacting you in regards to a deceased German client, he was a prominent client of mine and lived in Antwerp Belgium. He happens to share the same last name with you. But before his death, my client deposited (22million euro) with a financial institution, documentations regarding this deposit indicates that claims can only be made by his relative/family member. Unfortunately he had no will at the time of his death and all efforts made to locate his next kin was negative.

However, the financial institution has mandated me to present the next of kin or a relative who will claim my clientâ€™s funds and failure to respond to this ultimatum would legally allow the financial institute to position this funds as unclaimed. I have put in place all necessary requirements concerning the release of this funds and it is my intention to introduce you as the legal next of kin and therefore the beneficiary. Please note that I am legally equipped with all necessary information/documentations concerning this deposit. Upon acceptance, I will process the release of this fund to your possession. You will be entitle to 50% of the said funds and 50% for me, while for security reasons, I have decided not to add more information on this letter.

However, as soon as I receive your response and acceptance of this offer, I shall provide you with more details and step by step process on how this funds can be paid to you within 7business days. In conclusion, I will appreciate your complete honesty, co-operation and confidentiality to enable us conclude this transaction.

I GUARANTEE that this process would be executed under a legitimate process that would legally protect you from any breech of Law. Please respond via email or fax numbers below.

Sincerely,
Barr. Donald Stevenson

Stevenson & Associates
128 Clifford Street, London W1S 2LQ
United Kingdom
Tel: +447937149995
Cell:+447937697108
Fax: +448458740964
Email: Stevensongroup@mail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam