419 scam: "Eng.Mark Afonso" <engr.edwardo@gmail.com> Dear Friend,

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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)
- "affidavit of claim" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Eng.Mark Afonso" <engr.edwardo@gmail.com>
Reply-To: marcaf101@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2016 13:13:16 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend,

Dear Friend,
Please I got your contact from email domain Directory, do not be skeptical
to reply back to me based on what is going on in the internet world, this
business is very safe and secure.
If you are willing to show me Trust and Honest, then, we can work together.
I am Mr.Mark Afonso, PA to Mr.Kurt Kahle a German who owned a private
business school and also a German property magnate who died in AF4590 crash
since 2000 alongside with his entire family (with his 37-year-old wife and
son Michael).

Please see this site yourself before we proceed,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
I decided to contact you purely on personal conviction of trust and
confidence, to assist me in recovering the funds deposit in a Finance
Company by Mr. Kurt Kahle as his Next of Kin, since he is no longer alive,
some management of the finance company was not aware that the deposit
content is money,being his PA, the finance company have issued me a notice
to provide his next of kin for the claim of the consignment because their
company have been bought by another Finance Firm and no one has come for
the claim, otherwise the consignment will be CONFISCATED if nobody could
lay claim on the deposit.

Since he is dead with his immediate family,my proposition to you is to seek
your consent to present you as the next-of-kin, so that the deposit could
be released to you and we will share the amount on a mutually agreed
percentage. I have in my possession the original deposit certificate issue
to him on the day of deposit, I will give you the CERTIFICATE and we will
secure a legal document/Affidavit in your name. All I require is your
honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.
If you accept my proposal, I will appreciate to have the following
information from you which will be used to prepare the Affidavit of Claim
in your name thus:

1.FULL NAME,
2.COUNTRY ADDRESS,
3.OCCUPATION,
4.PERSONAL DIRECT CELLPHONE,
5.AGE

This transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will
protect us from any breach of the law, if this business proposition offends
your moral values, please do accept my apology. Note: I must use this
opportunity to implore you to keep/treat this transaction
extra-confidential, I assure you that this is a risk-free business.
A swift acknowledgement of the receipt of this mail would be appreciated to
indicate your interest.
Best regards
Mark Afonso.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam