419 scam: SHERNELL THOMAS <shernell.thomas3@btinternet.com> From: Miss Shernell Thomas.

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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:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- ",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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: SHERNELL THOMAS <shernell.thomas3@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: shernellthomas09@live.com
Date: Fri, 14 May 2010 19:13:22 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: From: Miss Shernell Thomas.

From: Miss Shernell Thomas.

Good Day Dear,

l am introducing myself am Miss Shernell Thomas, I wish to request for your assistance in a financial transaction and investing in your country. I want to invest in your country and also to go into business partnership with you. I am the only daughter of my late parents Chief and Mrs Adams Thomas.My father acquired a very large timber and cocoa plantation here in the capital of Ivory Coast. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips, though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who travelled with him at that time. My mother died when I was just 4 years old, and since then my father took me so special. Before his death he called me and his secretary who accompanied me to the hospital and he told him that he has the sum of Seven Millon Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars( US$7,500,000 )left in a suspense account with a prime bank here in Abidjan
,Cote d'Ivoire. I need your assistance transferring this fund to your country also making and protecting the investments while l finish my studies over there. I am undergraduate student and really don't know what to do. This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded and i will compensate you with 30% for your efforts in assisting me.

Consider this and get back to me for more conversation and informations. Awaiting for your immediate responses.

My sincere regards,
Miss Shernell Thomas.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam