419 scam: "Virginia Veterans"<mdmark1960@msn.com> Hello Dear Friend ,

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Virginia Veterans" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mdmark1960@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 01:54:55 -0700
Subject: Hello Dear Friend ,

Compliments and i hope you are doing fine. i thank you for giving me your email from tagged, I appreciate your concern towards this communication and I am presently writing this mail to you from U.S Military base, Iraq hoping that you will assist me.

My name is MHello Dear Friend ,
s. Virginia Veterans, from Michigan, United States of American presently in Iraq .I have this fund ($7Million Dollars), i was opportune to have this fund in a oil transaction and this fund is not related to anything connected to drug or any thing that will lead to any illegal transaction but i couldn't keep it to myself because I can’t move this fund to the states now and is against our rules to transfer or invest while on duty or where we are posted for duty. Also due to constant attack by some indecent group that has been terrorizing the country with bombs, other destructive devices and considering the fund unsafe i decided to move it from Iraq to Egypt through a United Nation diplomatic delivering channel with assistance of united nation diplomat agent. Before the movement of this fund I sealed the fund inside a safe trunk box then registered it as Personal valuables (VIPs Non-inspection luggage) so authorities will not inspect it..

Presently the fund box is deposited in a security company in Egypt and a clearance/handling charges have to be paid to the company before releasing it so i wish to know your readiness to claim or receive it into your custody for safe deposit till i join you after my service while I provide you with all guideline to claim it. You are entitled to 30% from the total fund after you have received this fund. Kindly provide me with details of you, full names ,address, phone no, occupation and id/passport copy to enable me know you and to prepare documents to empower you to receive this fund box on my behalf as the beneficiary on your intentions to assist .

Thanks and Kind Regards.

Ms. Virginia Veterans,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam