419 scam: "Mendes Theresa"<theresamendes@scotpet.co.uk> Hello

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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
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.
- theresamendes012@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mendes Theresa" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <theresamendes012@sify.com>
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:38:21 -0700
Subject: Hello

Scotland Petroleum Company Limited
London Ofiice,12 bishop quare ET2 bh1
England

Dear Friend,

I am Theresa Mendes Head Audit and Contract Payment with the above company office london with due respect and regard, I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction.

During the course of auditing last month,I discovered an over-invoiced floating fund $12.5Million Dollars being part of operational cost for last month crude oil supply but was not used by the previous board,The new Board of Directors of the Scotland National Petroleum Company has given my office the go ahead for compilation of all debts we owe all contractors that supply and service oil instalations nationwide, so i want to present you as a contractor that has done service for the corporation now seeking payment.

Once i receive your favorable response,i will now advice you on modalities to follow for us to claim the fund.Note that the confidence and trust repose on you can not be over-emphasis so there you are advice to keep this project to yourself,if you want us to succeed.

Am look forward to your urgent response to my private email address:You can include your telephone or mobile number for easy Communication.

Best Regards
theresamendes012@sify.com
Mrs Theresa Mendes

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam