419 scam: "Cynthia Smith"<postcynthia@uku.co.uk> For your information

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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- ",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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- jpetersmanden@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Cynthia Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <smith.post@uku.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:12:36 +0100
Subject: For your information

Hello,

This is to inform you that an approval has been given by the World Bank Group in conjunction with the AU Government for the immediate release of your long standing claims payment of $10,500,000.00. As part of the resolution of the world financial bodies to ease the current global economic recession, it has been decided that all such outstanding payments be paid to the beneficiaries without delay.

Your full payment has been deposited with the Western Union Swift Money transfer services today for onward transfer to you, since you did not follow up with the necessary directives for direct telegraphic transfer from the paying bank as initially scheduled.

You are to receive $20,000 daily until the entire sum is completely paid. Already the first installmental payment of $20,000.00 has been sent in your name and is waiting to be picked up by you at your local western union office.

Please contact the Accredited Western Union Agent to Activate your payment file and for the details of your test Question and Answer to enable you picks your funds.

CONTACT PERSON: MR JAMES PETERS MANDEN

E-mail:jpetersmanden@aol.com

The money is available for pick up by you.

A copy of your identification in the form of Driver's license or international passport should be sent to him to confirm your identity.

Ms. Cynthia Smith

The director of operation

International credit settlement

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam