419 scam: "Barr. Steve Dikens." <ppp.dziekanowlesny@neostrada.pl> Best Regards,HANS, cott Daniel!ER CARD.PŒë¸"

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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)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- stevedikens54@aim.com (AOL Instant Messenger; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. Steve Dikens." <ppp.dziekanowlesny@neostrada.pl>
Reply-To: agntoffice2@aim.com
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:34:27 -0700
Subject: Best Regards,

Dear Friend,

We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total
sum of $6,400,000.00 (Six million Four Hundred Thousand United State Dollars)
in the intent of the deceased (name now withheld since this is our second letter
to you). We contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore
you can present as the beneficiary to the inheritance since there is no written
will.

Our legal services aim to provide our private clients with a complete service.
We are happy to prepare wills, set-up and administer Trusts, carry out the
administration of estates and prepare and administer powers Of attorney. All the
papers will be processed in your acceptance.

In your acceptance of this deal, we request that you kindly forward to us your
letter of acceptance, your current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding
address to enable us file necessary documents at our high court probate division
for the release of this sum of money via my private email: stevedikens54@aim.com

Yours faithfully,
Barr. Steve Dikens.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam