419 scam: "MR MAXWELL DERRICK"<info@lee.com> MICROSOFT COMPENSATE YOU WITH THE SUM OF 2.5MILLION POUNDS

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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:
- "million pounds" (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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!

Fraud email example:

From: "MR MAXWELL DERRICK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <compensationhouse@yahoo.cn>
Date: Sun, 7 Aug 2011 16:15:38 +0800
Subject: MICROSOFT COMPENSATE YOU WITH THE SUM OF 2.5MILLION POUNDS

I AM MR MAXWELL DERRICK.I OWNED TWO OIL WELL AND ONE REFINERY.i am married
to MRS HELEN ANDERSON. She works with the UNITED NATIONS GOVERMENT.

I buy your guts and courage to be more conscious when it come's to case like this,it is normal you get protective over such issue as you never knows how real it is.

I am a reputable man of high and international standard, it will be so discrediting to my credibility if this was a scam or what so ever you call it.It is a shame today that so many people have them self involve in such barbaric attitude but am happy that i am a legitimate business man and clean minded and also have the fear of God in what so ever am doing in life.

The Almighty lord do not create me out to this world to cheat or deceive people of interest out of their money so i will reject been such ever in my life.I am a knight in my church I worship
as a good Christian, if i had ever thought of scamming people i think God would not have elevated me to this standard which i am now.

I PARTNERED WITH MICROSOFT INTERNET FOR AN INVESTMENT PROGRAMME WHICH WAS
VERY SUCCESFULL AND PROSPERIOUS.I HAVE TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO MICROSOFT INTERNET, SO IDECIDED TO COMPENSATE MICROSOFT INTERNET LUCKY WINNER WITH THE SUM OF 2.5MILLION POUNDS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO USED THE INTERNET DAILY. I AM CURRENTLY IN PARAGUAY FOR ANOTHER INVESTMENT PROJECT. IT WAS MADE EASY AND SUCCESFULL WITH THE HELP OF MICROSOFT INTERNET.

Due to your effort, using the internet programs indoor and in your office,I want to compensate you and show microsoft gratitude to you with the sum of 2.5Million Pounds ( Two Million Five Hundred Pounds) because your email address emerge as one of the lucky winners to be compensated.

After this automated computer ballot, your e-mail address emerged as a winner in the category "A" with the following numbers attached Ref Number: EH 9590 OGSO.I have authorized the finance house where I deposited my money to issue you international certified bank draft cashable at your bank. assist your in getting your compensation check across to you.

It is a real your cheque and you can cash it in any bank of your choice in your country. The cheque has been put under a hard cover parcel for security reasons.

CONTACT COMPENSATION AND FINANCE HOUSE FOR YOUR CHEQUE OF2.5MILLION POUNDS.

EMAIL: compensationhouse@yahoo.cn
NAME; Bruce Hoek

My sincere advice to you as a christian is that you should endeavour to pay your tithe to a bible believing church when you get the prize and try to help the less previledge ones in your country, by donating to the orphanage homes.

YOURS SINCERELY
MAXWELL DERRICK

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam