419 scam: "Mrs. Selina Greenwood"<selinagreenwood001@yahoo.com> Urgent Information

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
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!
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.
- +2348034098912 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- kelvinshore239@hotmail.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Selina Greenwood" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kelvinshore239@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:13:12 +0700
Subject: Urgent Information

We Apologize, for the delay of your payment and all the inconveniences that we
might have indulge you through. However, we were having some minor problems with
our payment system, which is inexplicable, and have held us stranded and
indolent, not having the aspiration to devote our 100% assiduity in accrediting
foreign payments.

We apologize once again, from the records of outstanding winners due for payment
with {ONLINE CYBER PROMOTION} your name and particular was discovered as next on
the list of the outstanding winners who have not yet received their payments.

I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square hole and can be
voguish for your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon
as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the record in our file, your
outstanding winning payment is US$2 million (Two Million U.S. Dollars). Be
informed that Payment will be made to you via ATM CARD or wire transfer into a
nominated bank account of your choice, as soon as you get in touch with the Debt
Reconciliation agent below.

=======================================
Mr. Kelvin Shore Manager Remittance Department Government Accredited Licensed
Claim Agent.
Information and Payment Bureau.
Europe Representative Office in Nigeria.
Tel: +234-8034098912
E-mail:- kelvinshore239@hotmail.co.uk

=======================================
Provide him with the following details, as this will enable him to process and
release of your cash prize with out any delay.

Your Full Name:..........................
Telephone or fax Numbers:................
Residential Address:.....................
State and Country:........................
Occupation:..............................
Age:......................................

Your urgent reply to Mr. Kelvin Shore via e-mail will facilitate the release of
your cash prize to you within 48hours.

Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Selina Greenwood
Online Cyber
Promotion Information Department

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam