419 scam: "ken murphy"<info@cast.net> Dear sir /ma

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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:
- "million 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)
- ",000,000" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "ken murphy" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ken.murphy1123@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:53:56 +0800
Subject: Dear sir /ma

Dear sir/ma

I am Mr.Ken Murphy,Bill and Exchange Manager/Secretary General,World Bank
Finance Group,UK Branch, we are set up to fight against scam and other Fraud
related activities worldwide.

This Group is responsible for investigating contract,inheritance and money
claims by legitimate owners of Companies and individuals and directs all paying
(banks) worldwide to make immediate payment after verified claims of the
beneficiaries without further Delay.

You have being contacted regarding the release of your awaited
fund.After a detailed review of your file,the World Bank Group has mandated
that your fund should be release to you immediately.
The sum of US$10,000,000.00 (Ten Million United States Dollars) has been
approved in your favor via my desk.I therefore wish to inform you that your
payment is valid and will be released to you as soon as possible after you
re-confirm to us the following

1,Your Full name:
2,phone,fax,and mobile number:
3,company name,home address:
4,profession,Age and marital status:

for immediate transfer of your money,
:Note that the above fund has been cleared from terrorist or other fraud
related activities.
Thanks for Your Cooperation

Mr. Ken Murphy
(Secretary-General)
World Bank Group

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam