419 scam: =?utf-8?q?MICHAEL=20FARMS?= <michaelfarms11@yahoo.in> GREETINGS TO YOU FROM MICHAEL FARMS,

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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)
- "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "michaelfarms11@yahoo.in" (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.
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.
- michaelfarms20@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: =?utf-8?q?MICHAEL=20FARMS?= <michaelfarms11@yahoo.in>
Reply-To: michaelfarms20@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 19:01:18 +0530 (IST)
Subject: GREETINGS TO YOU FROM MICHAEL FARMS,

I have a new email address!You can now email me at: michaelfarms11@yahoo.in

- Dear Friend,I am Michael Farms the only child and son of late Chief Paul Farms the managing Director of DUBE petroleum company in Benin Republic, I want you to assist me in transfering my late father's funds which he deposited in the bank here into your private bank account, the said amount is (fifteen Million Dollars) $15 Million.All I need from you is a safe bank account where the bank will transfer the funds to you,then as soon as the bank transfered the funds to you I will come over to your country for the sharing and to invest my own share of the money. For your assistance to me I will give you 15 % of the total money amount, and in case of any other necessary expenses you might incure during this transaction such as telephone calls to the bank. for more details contact me on my private email which is ( michaelfarms20@gmail.com ) for urgent reply. Thanks and God bless, Best regards, Michael Farms.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam