419 scam: "Steve Mark"<infobarristersteve@qq.com> Please Read (Not Spam) Sir Your quick reply pls

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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)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- +2332320648871 (Ghana, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Steve Mark" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barristerstevemark@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2016 13:39:26 +0200
Subject: Please Read (Not Spam) Sir Your quick reply pls

Dear Friend,
I hope you are doing good today; I got your email contact from your country_s Business Directory and decided to contact you regarding a business proposal.
I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this matter extraordinary confidential, whatever your decision, while I await your prompt response.
I am Barrister Steve Mark, Attorney at law. A deceased client of mine, late Mrs. Surti Dahlia, a German/Dutch businesswoman and widow from Netherlands who was one of the victim of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370/MAS370) which crashed in the south of the Indian Ocean on March 8, 2014 on the way from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport killing all on board.
Mrs. Surti DAHLIA is number 130 on the list, see the link below manifest of the flight:
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303369904579427230127866184
Since her death, her bank has been waiting for the next of kin to come for the claim of their money valued the sum of _19.5 million EURO, having gone through a methodical search for her next of kin, I personally have failed in the search for her relatives.
I seek your consent to present you to the bank as the next of kin of the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at _19.5 million can be paid to you. Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon percentage. All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will be provided. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.
This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from many breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology.
I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon as possible and kindly treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.
I look forward to your quick reply.
Barrister Steve Mark
Attorney-at-law
Providence Chambers
T: +233 232064887
1st Floor, Evergreen House,
Community 4, Tema.
Greater Accra,Ghana

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam