419 scam: "Audit / Account Dept." <smtp@shtech.com.my> Re: Inheritance Claim

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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.

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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.
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Audit / Account Dept." <smtp@shtech.com.my>
Reply-To: mrchrisdavid@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2016 21:10:42 -0700
Subject: Re: Inheritance Claim

Dear Respondent,

I am currently attempting to acquaint myself with your family in order to find a suitable heir whose right to inherit the estate of our customer (now deceased) is indefeasible by law provided you are a descendant from the same ancestor.

During the course of our auditing, I discovered a floating fund in an account opened in the bank since then nobody has operated on this account that belongs to one of our late Customer who hailed From your country hereinafter referred to as 'our customer' who worked as contractor with Chevron Texaco an oil magnate in my country and was killed as a result of an attack from Niger Delta Militants. Hence, we are currently handling a high valued financial portfolio of our late customer who clearly shares your last name and it was recommended that I contact you.

In looking for a suitable heir apparent to our late customer, I am specifically interested in the following information:
1. Your full names (no initials pls.)

2. Your Contact address.

3. Your Telephone and Fax number.

4. Your Date of Birth

5. Your Current Occupation.

Could you please send me the information I have requested, along with any other information about you or your family history that might be relevant. I need to make an important decision fairly soon about the administration of his estate on intestacy, so please send me the information at your first opportunity today.

Contact us for more detailed information about this case.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Mr. Chris David
Audit / Account Dept.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam