419 scam: "Mrs. Rachael Miller"<test@travelplannersindia.com> Dear Friend

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "certificate 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. )
- "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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.
- +2348028642146 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Rachael Miller" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fed2008@rogers.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2010 11:56:54 -0400
Subject: Dear Friend

Dear Friend,

How are you today? I Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this mail meets you in a perfect condition.

I have been waiting for you to contact me for your confirmable bank draft of $500,000.00 United States Dollars, but I did not hear from you. Then I went and deposited the Draft with FedEx, West Africa.

What you have to do now is to contact the FedEx Express as soon as possible to know when delivery of your package will commence due to the expiring date.

For your information, I have paid for the delivering Charge, Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the Draft showing that it is not a Drug Money
or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country.

The only money you will send to the FedEx Courier Service to deliver your Draft direct to your postal Address in your country is $280 US Dollars only being
Security Keeping Fee of the Courier Company so far.

You have to contact the FedEx Courier Service now for the delivery of your Draft with this information below:

Contact Agent: Mr. Frank Smith
Email Address: fedexrepresent2010@rogers.com
Telephone: +23480-2864-2146

Finally, make sure that you reconfirm your Postal address and Direct telephone number to them.

Contact them immediately to avoid any further delay and remember to pay them their Security keeping fee of $280 US Dollars for their immediate action.
You should also let me know through email as soon as you receive your Draft.

Yours Faithfully,
Mrs. Rachael Miller

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam