419 scam: "Capt. Mark Phillip" <desmondlouga7@gmail.com> SSG Mark

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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:
- "i want to solicit your attention" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "trunk box" (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: "Capt. Mark Phillip" <desmondlouga7@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mark_phillip002@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2014 13:04:35 +0000
Subject: SSG Mark

Greetings

I am sorry to encroach into your privacy in this manner, I found you listed
in one of the address directories.

I find it pleasurable to offer you my partnership in business. I only pray
at this time that your address is still valid. I want to solicit your
attention to receive money on my behalf.

I am SSG. Mark Phillip, an officer, serving in the US Army, and also a West
Point Graduate presently serving in the Military with the 82nd Airborne
Division Peace keeping force in Baghdad, Iraq.

I am on the move to Afghanistan from Iraq as the last batch just left and I
really need your help in assisting me with the safe keeping of US$5.2
million that is in one military trunk box which has just arrived in United
Kingdom from Iraq. I will give you detailed explanation how I was able to
move them out of Iraq when I receive your reply to show you are interested
in this opportunity to share with me. You can view the news blog below for
some info on how this chance came about:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7444083.stm

if you are willing to carry out this business with us,please kindly get
back to me at once so I can establish communication with you, giving you
the details of it all and how you can reach the trunk box for inspection
and claim for your custody on my behalf.

Many thanks for your time as I wait to hear from you soon.

Best regards.
SSG. Mark Phillip.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam