419 scam: "Barr. Atkins Thomson"<peter@mdsarch.co.za> From Atkins Thomson Solicitors .. Reply ..

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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
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.
- +447087698229 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. Atkins Thomson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atkinsthomson_solicitors@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2018 09:07:42 -0700
Subject: From Atkins Thomson Solicitors .. Reply ..

Atkins Thomson Solicitors & Associates

3 Fleet St, London EC4Y 1AU, UK

Direct Phone:+44-7937-008-914

Phone:+ 44-7087-698-229

Fax: 44-87-1247-2209

Attn: Sir/Madam

My name is Atkins Thomson, a legal practitioner based here in London, United Kingdom and personal attorney to late Robert Fitzpatrick an American who was a contractor with the Shell UK Limited, who shall be referred to as my client,

Robert Fitzpatrick unfortunately lost his life in a terrorist attack in Philippines on the 4th March, 2003 during one of his trip to Asia, and left no clear beneficiary as Next of Kin except some vital documents related to the deposit with me.

Particularly, the finance company where the deceased had the said fund valued at US$10,500,000.00 (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United Sates Dollars Only) has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin. I am seeking your co -operation to present you as the next of kin to the account. Our sharing ratio will be 40% for you, 50% for me and 10% for reimbursement of any expenditure we may incur.

If you are interested, you should reply back immediately and as well include your personal information so we could discuss more as regard the transaction.

Thank you and Please treat this with utmost confidentiality. I wait your urgent response.

Regards,

Atkins Thomson, Esq.

Phone:+ 44-7087-698-229

Fax: 44-87-1247-2209

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam