419 scam: "Dr. Mike Larry"<info@bankdraft.com> YOUR BANK DRAFT PAYMENT IS READY (CONTACT SECRETARY IN CHARGE)

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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 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348085834323 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- david.matins@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Mike Larry" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <david.matins@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:34:30 -0700
Subject: YOUR BANK DRAFT PAYMENT IS READY (CONTACT SECRETARY IN CHARGE)

Compliment,

How are you doing. Hope you have not forgotten me, I am Dr. Mike Larry, the man from Nigeria who contacted you some time ago to assist me secure the release of some money accrued from the over invoicing of a contract/inheritance that was awarded by my government sometime ago during the military regime.

Though you were not able to assist me conclude the transaction, I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred Under the assistance and cooperation of a new partner from Brazil.Presently I'm in South Korea for investment projects with my own share of the total sum. meanwhile, i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds, I made sure you are not left out the benefit of the transaction hence I kept aside for you sum of Six Million and Three Hundred Thousand United State Dollar($6.3 Million Dollars)draft.I and my new partner agreed to compensate you with that amount for all your past efforts and attempts to assist me in this matter.

I appreciated your efforts at that time very much,so feel free and getting touch with my secretary Mr.David Martins and instruct him on how to send the Bank draft to you. Please do let me know immediately you receive the Draft so that we can
share the joy together after all the sufferance at that time. In the moment, I'm very busy here because of the investment projects which me and my partner are having at hand, finally,remember that i had left instruction to my secretary so as soon as you contact him, he will send the Draft to you,so feel free to get in touch with MY SECRETARY NOW.

Below is the contact of my secretary:

Mr.David Martins
Phone: +234-808-583-4323
E-mail:david.matins@hotmail.com

Best Regard,
Dr. Mike Larry

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam