419 scam: "Steve Valdes"<blessyr2013@hotmail.com> Dear Sir/Madam

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
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.
- steve_vald@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Steve Valdes" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <steve_vald@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2013 07:19:30 +0100
Subject: Dear Sir/Madam

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am sorry for invading your privacy. My name is Steve Valdes.I am from New Zealand but currently in India for treatment. I have been a successful businessman for the past 20 years, my business interests has spanned the sectors of metals, oil and precious stones in Asia, Africa and Europe, during this time, I have amassed a lot of wealth but recently I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few weeks to live. I am very rich, but was never generous; I have given most of my assets to my immediate family members but my mind is not at peace since I have a dream of giving back to the society and helping the needy in our world.I have decided to give alms and donations to charity organizations.I cannot do this myself anymore because of my health. I once asked members of my family to give some money to charity organizations,they refused and kept the money for themselves that made my health heavy and uneasy. I have a huge cash deposit in

You will take out 30% of these funds for your assistance. Please answer these questions,Contact me via: steve_vald@yahoo.com

[1] Full Names:

[2] Your Country:

[3] Direct Telephone

[4] Date of birth:

[5] Occupation:

Regards,
Steve Valdes.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam