419 scam: "ROBERT SWAN MUELLER III"<test@test.com> READ AND RESPOND.

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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:
- "fbi washington" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real FBI will not tell you to contact some email address. If you are in any doubt, contact an FBI field office via www.fbi.gov. )
- "timothyodo@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "ROBERT SWAN MUELLER III" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <timothyodo1@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:35:45 +0300
Subject: READ AND RESPOND.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI WASHINGTON DC.
WASHINGTON D.C. ROOM, 7367
J. EDGAR HOOVER FBI BUILDING
935 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE,
NW WASHINGTON, DC 20535,0001
Attention: Sir/Madam.
This is to Inform you that ATM Card Number: 5120 8156 1062 5647 worth $2.5milion has been accredited to your favor,contact Mr. Timothy Odogwu,
on (timothyodo@w.cn) with the following information below.
1,Your full Name
2. Phone number
3. Delivery address where you want the card to be sent to.
4, Age, Sex and Occupation.
Bear in mind that you will be responsible for the handling and shipping charges of your Gold Smart card to your choice location which is $80. This is a mandatory fee that must be paid before the dispatch of your ATM card to your designated home address, once the fee is paid you will receive your ATM card within the next 2-3 working days.
Regards
Yours Faithfully,
ROBERT SWAN MUELLER III

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam