419 scam: "Miss Mercy"<ack@telefonica.net> Hello Dear

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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand u.s 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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Miss Mercy" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mmercy@w.cn>
Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:37:25 +0100
Subject: Hello Dear

Hello Dear,

I know this might come to you as a surprise, but please do accept it in good faith and treat as a matter of urgency with utmost confidentiality. My name is Miss Mercy Hani 24years of age, still single. God is the first in my life, I hope that he is for you as well! I am from Northeastern Africa Sudan, now seeking for refugee in Dakar Senegal under the (UNHCR).

My (late) father Dr. Monnyak Hani, was the Managing Director of Sudanese Boost Co. Ltd company of importing Machineries & Equipments for Industry, also a successful business man of exporting of cocoa. But he was killed along side with my mother during the longing civil war and all his properties were totally destroyed. I couldnt help it but cry and cried as I became homeless. I felt so devastated and depressed as I have lost virtually everything I had including my school certificates and my passport.

However, after the death of my parent, I managed to escape with a very important document (DEPOSIT CERTIFICATE ($6.9USD) Six Million Nine Hundred Thousand U.S Dollars deposited by my late father in one of the leading bank with my name as the next of kin. Whatever the struggle I went through, I always ensured nothing separates me from these documents as my life depends on it right now.

I am searching for a true friend. Some one who is God fearing, kind and honest to stand as my foreign representative to help me transfer my inheritance funds so I can leave this camp and come over to your country and continue my education.

Furthermore, you can contact the bank for confirmation, I will send to you the full contact address of the bank, once I get your positive response to help me with the transfer of the funds to your bank account, and help me with the investment of the funds, and my coming over to join with you in your country.

In the light of above I will like you to keep it to yourself and don't tell it to anyone for I am afraid of loosing my life and the money.

Please kindly reply me back if you know in your heart you would want to help me. Remain Bless

Mercy
*kisses**

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What can you do when you receive 419 spam