419 scam: "Darko"<darko_steven@att.net> For your consideration

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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)
- ",500,000" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Darko" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <steven.darko@adinet.com.uy>
Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2011 19:56:18 +0100
Subject: For your consideration

Dear Friend,

My name is Mr. Steven Darko: I am an accountant with the Ministry of minaral Ghana, I write to solicit your assistance in a funds transfer deal involving US$4,500,000.00M. The money came as a result of an over inflated contract. I will give you more details immediately I hear from you, including the transfer process. It is very important.

I will give you the full details information immediately I hear from you and know that your email is working. Immediately I hear from you I will let you know more details and how we are going to do it.

I am sending this mail in my confidence that you will consider it but please do not expose it because of my position in the office. Please with you

Sincerely,
Mr. Steven Darko

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam