419 scam: "Mr. MarkDavis"<admin@hc.edu.tw> [GSN Suspected Spam] Greetings To You.

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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:
- "demurrage " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "security keeping fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "scott.williams09@rogers.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +2347066312524 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <scott.williams09@rogers.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:01:20 +0100
Subject: [GSN Suspected Spam] Greetings To You.

Greetings,

I have waited for you to get in contact with me for your ATM CARD Loaded with the sum of $850,000.00 (Eight Hundred and fifty thousand united state dollars only) hence I deposited it with FedEx COURIER COMPANY LTD.

Your ATM card will be delivery to you by FedEx COURIER COMPANY LTD alongside with custom pin which you will use to withdraw up to $10,000 per day from any ATM machine .Also with the ATM card you will be able to transfer your funds to your bank account. The ATM card comes with a handbook/ manual to enlighten you about how to use it.

Note that i have already paid for the delivery charges and insurance certificate but the FedEx COURIER COMPANY LTD did not allow me to pay for the security keeping fee because they don't know when you will be contacting them for the delivery of your ATM CARD Loaded with the sum of $850,000.00 , the security keeping fee is $155 USD.

What you have to do now is to contact the FedEx COURIER COMPANY LTD as soon as possible to know when they will deliver your ATM CARD to you .

Again, don’t be deceived by anybody to pay any other money except $155 USD. I would have paid that but they said no because they don’t know when you will contact them and incase of demurrage You have to contact the FedEx COURIER COMPANY LTD now for the delivery of your ATM CARD.

You are been advice to send your Full name, your direct telephone number and also your current house address were you will receive your ATM CARD loaded with the sum of $850,000.00 USD to Mr.Scott Williams at FedEx COURIER COMPANY LTD.

Email the above stated information to the Dispatch Director:Mr.Scott Williams with his details below:

FedEx COURIER COMPANY LTD,
20/24 Degbago Cresent Walinda House Building
LAGOS, NIGERIA.
Dispatch Director:Mr. Scott Williams
eMAIL: scott.williams09@rogers.com
Telephone: +2347066312524

Make sure you send your full name,your mailing address,your direct telephone number to Mr. Scott Williams to enable him dispatch your ATM CARD loaded with the sum of $850,000.00 USD to you immediately.

Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Mark Davies.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam