419 scam: "Mr. Nicholas Gates" <natalia@mantiqueira.com.br

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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:
- ",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 next of kin scam.
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.
- niicholasgate@consultant.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Nicholas Gates" <natalia@mantiqueira.com.br >
Reply-To: niicholasgate@consultant.com
Date: Mon, 03 Jul 2017 18:30:38 -0400
Subject: IMMDEDIATE ATTENTION NEEDED

Hello,

I am Nicholas Gates, Lawyer at Gates Law firm which is located in Huntington WV, i am contacting you in regards to a deceased client who died in Canada on October 2014; he was a prominent client of mine who happens to have your email address on the family folder of his contact list.

Before his death, my client Mr.Jacob Gagnon deposited $41,000,000.00USD at a financial institution in Iowa,USA and documentations regarding these transaction indicate that claims can only be made by his relative/ family member. Since your email is on the list you are eligible for this claim.. Upon maturity several notices was sent to his house address but no feedback, Another notification was sent early February 2016 and still no feedback

It is my duty to prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Mr.Jacob Gagnon, all that is require from you at this stage is to contact me on this email [Niicholasgate@consultant.com] with your full information and a means of identification and Address including your mobile number

I will also file in for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of probate in your favor for the funds to be moved to an account that will be provided by you. We are going to adopt a legalized method with no risk involve

Sincerely, Mr. Nicholas Gates.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam