419 scam: "Steven Summers"<ssummers1414@w.cn> REPLY PROMPTLY.

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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:
- "into your nominated bank account" (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 united states 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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Steven Summers" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ssummers1110@w.cn>
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:54:34 +0100
Subject: REPLY PROMPTLY.

Hello dear,

I am seeking your noble assistance to receive the sum of USD$8.5 Million United States Dollars, into your nominated Bank account in your country.

The owner of this fund is my late client, Mr. Matthias Buercher, a nationality of Grenada, the assistant director of Oceanic Oil/Gas Company London United kingdom. On the 21st of April 2008, my client, his wife and their two children were involved in a car accident, and occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives but it proves abortive, which is the main reason I am writing you this to ask for your cooperation for us to claim this money, since you are a foreigner.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect us from any breach of the law. If you are willing, you will get 50% out of the above total sum and I will take 50%. At the end of this transaction, I shall visit your country for the disbursement according to the agreed.

I await your urgent reply to proceed.

Best regards,

Mr. Steven Summers.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam