419 scam: Smith Washington <smith02@sify.com> Dear Good Friend, This is urgent

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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.

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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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "the consignment" (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.
- smith02@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Smith Washington <smith02@sify.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 16:29:28 +0200
Subject: Dear Good Friend, This is urgent

Dear Good Friend, This is urgent

Please, reply only to this email smith02@sify.com

I am Mr. SMITH WASHINGTON, an orphan. I lost my parent in a car accident and since then things has never been easy for me. My late father's family took all my father's properties and left me empty handed. They tried to kill me but I escaped. Before my father died, He Deposited US$10.5M to a trust security company in BURKINA FASO. I thank God that, yesterday I received a message from them asking me to come and claim the fund but I don't have bank account to receive the fund. Can you help me to receive it in your bank account ? Can I trust you in this transaction ?
I needed a country where I can invest the money so I can reinstall. Can you assist me to receive the fund from the trust company. Is your country good for Investment ? Can you help me to receive the fund and invest it wisely in your country ? I will compasate you with 30%. As soon as I hear from you through this my email smith02@sify.com, I will forward more details and application form as to fill and send to the trust company for the release of the consignment. I have the certificate of DEPOSIT which I shall send to you as soon as the trust company requested for it.
Thank you,
Smith Washington.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam