419 scam: Herman Hansley <hermanh@w.cn> CONTACT MY SECRETARY FOR YOUR COMPESATION:

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Herman Hansley <hermanh@w.cn>
Reply-To: hermanh1@w.cn
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:39:22 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY FOR YOUR COMPESATION:

How are you today, Hope all is well with you and your family?,You may not understand why this mail came to you. But if you do not remember me, you might have receive an email from me in the past regarding a ulti million dollar business proposal which we never concluded.
I am using this opportunity to inform you that this ulti-million-dollar business has been concluded with the assistance of another partner from Germany who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. I thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into
your account due to one reason or the other best known to you.
But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund into my new partner's account in Germany, who was eventually, capable of assisting me in this great venture. Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness You showed during the course of the transaction.
I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of $800,000.00 u.s dollars.
I have left a certified international bank draft for you worth of $800,000.00 u.s dollars cashable in any bank account over there in your country.
My dear friend I will like you to contact my secretary, her name is Miss Mary-Ann Emmanuel on her direct email address at: ( mary-ann-associate@w.cn ) for the collection of your certified bank draft.
I authorized her to release the Bank Draft to you whenever you contact her for the bank draft. At the moment, I'm very busy here because of the investment projects, which I and the new partner are having at hand.
Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart, Also comply with Miss Mary-Ann Emmanuel directives so that she will send the Bank draft to you without any delay.
CONTACTMY SECRETARY:
Miss Mary-Ann Emmanuel
E-mail address:[ mary-ann-associate@w.cn ]
Therefore, you should send her your full Name and telephone number/your correct mailing address where you want her to register your draft for the immediate delivery to you with the courier company here for immediate delivery to your door step.
Thanks and God bless you and your family.
Hoping to hear from you as soon as you cash your bank draft.
Your good Friend...

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam