419 scam: sgt Michael Smith <sgtmsmith1@us.army.mil> 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:

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:
- "million us 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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: sgt Michael Smith <sgtmsmith1@us.army.mil> (may be fake)
Reply-To: sgtmsmith1@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 15 May 2010 21:29:09 +0100
Subject: Hello

Hello

My name is Sergeant Michael Smith; an American Soldier,a (Sgt.1st class)
serving in the military with the Third Infantry division in Afghanistan,I was
formerly in Iraq.I and my superior moved funds belonging to Saddam
Hussein, the
total is Eight Million US Dollars this money is being kept safe in a secured
location. You can go to this web link to read about events that took
place here.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

I am seeking your kind assistance to move out the sum of $8 Million US
Dollars,
in as far as I can be rest assured that my share will be safe in your care
until I complete my service here.

There is no risk involved whatsoever. If you are interested I Please
send to me
your full data for more details.

I want to trust you to assisting us keep these funds and also want to give you
my word that this 100% risk free. All we need is trust and confidentiality.
I believe that our troop may be leaving Iraq soon as promised by the
president.
Please, if you can help me with getting this fund out of here,get back to me
for more details and I will let you know more, what this transaction hold.

Yours-in-service,

Sgt. Michael

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam