419 scam: "Mrs. STELLA BENSON"<britishhighcommission@hotmail.ug> BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION

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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand 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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- gracesender@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. STELLA BENSON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bhighcomms@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 17:38:18 +0100
Subject: BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION

Good day,

My name is Adabayo Williams, head of foreign operations OCEANIC BANK INTERNATION NIGERIA. A certain client of my bank made a deposit for 12 months valued at $6.2 Million (SIX Million Two Hundred Thousand UNITED STATES DOLLARS Only). My proposition is that I will like you to stand in as the next of kin to the depositor. I found out that he died without making a WILL" We shall employ the services of an attorney to arrange the transfer of rights and privileges of the deceased to you. If you are interested, please reply immediately to my confidential Email address gracesender@gmail.com with these details below:

1. A Beneficiary name and mailing address, in order for me to prepare the document for transfer of the funds in your name.2. Direct Telephone and fax numbers.

3. Age and occupation.

Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details.

Best Regards,

Adabayo Williams

Head of Foreign Operations of OCEANIC BANK INTERNATION NIGERIA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam