419 scam: "salome karen" <salomekaren1@yahoo.cn> Attn: Honorable Beneficiary

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "terrorist clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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. )
- "salomekaren@cantv.net" (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.
- +447045792560 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- haworththeodore@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "salome karen" <salomekaren1@yahoo.cn>
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2011 13:06:27 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: Attn: Honorable Beneficiary

Director General's
Office/Ministry of Finance,
London England

Attn: Honorable Beneficiary

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is to bring to your notice that this office has taking over all the
money Transaction originated from any part of African and Europe countries
as Contract payment, Fund Inheritance or Lottery Winning due to
unauthorized/incapability of financial Institutions/Security companies In
releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud,terrorist and money Laundry
activities going on worldwide.

The World Bank Group has Mandated the Director General's Office/Ministry
of Finance London to release funds to beneficiaries through International
ATM VISA / MASTER CARD, Hence Your Name appears as one of the fund
beneficiaries whom their fund was successfully cleared recently From
Terrorist and Money laundry and your money will be released to you Through
International ATM VISA / MASTER CARD that will be cashable from any
International Bank ATM VISA / MASTER CARD MACHINE in any part of the world
been the only way you would receive your money.

As regards to this arrangement you are advised to contact the Telex
Director Hon Theodore Haworth.(Minister of Finance) through his
Email:(haworththeodore@yahoo.co.uk) or phone number: +447045792560 or Fax
+447053487770 inform him to issue you the International ATM VISA / MASTER
CARD with the complete name you would provide to him.

You are therefore advised to forward your direct telephone numbers Your
complete name and your mailing address to Hon Jim Flaherty for Immediate
release of your money, most importantly be aware that Six Million UNITED
STATES Dollars Only (US$6,000,000.00) was allocated to you as first
installment payment, while the balance will follow after successful claims
by you.

Be also informed that the Funds Approvals and Authorization document
Including Anti-Terrorist Clearance Certificate was issued in your name and
has been handed over to Hon Theodore Haworth to release to you through any
faster courier service. Therefore be aware that your fund has obtained all
its clearance to be released to you.

Finally Hon Theodore Haworth is stand by to receive your communication and
Release your funds to you through International ATM VISA / MASTER CARD
without ANY delay. anytime because we are working 24 Hours to be able to
meet up with the mandate given to us by the World Bank. It is more better
that you make your contact to Hon Theodore Haworth through email or phone
number: +447045792560 /Fax +447053487770 for more detailed information as
he is a very busy Man. Nevertheless you can send your response to my email
(salomekaren@cantv.net) and it will be forwarded to him as soon as we
receive it.
Thanks for Your Cooperation.
Mrs.Salome Karen (secretary)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam