419 scam: "Richard Hannay"<richardstephannay@yahoo.com> Top secret

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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)
- "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)
- ",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)
- "top secret" (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: "Richard Hannay" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <richarddagger@kimo.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 07:18:20 +0330
Subject: Top secret

Dear friend,

First, I must solicit your confidence in this transaction. I am a Business man residing in London, United Kingdom. I am currently in need of a silent foreign partner whose identity can be used to transfer the sum of 30 million pounds. This fund accrued legitimately in Oil business deal, through my private connections. The funds are presently waiting to be remitted from one of the commercial bank here in London, United Kingdom to any overseas beneficiary confirmed by me as associate/receiver. By virtue of my position as a Business man in my country, I cannot transfer this money in my name.

I got your contacts through my personal research and out of desperation. I deal on crude oil I decided to reach you through this medium. I have 30,000,000.00 British Pounds for investment purpose.

I want you to receive this fund on my behalf and invest on a profitable business venture on an agreed terms. If you are interested I will offer you 35% of 30,000,000.00 British Pounds. please get back to me with the following details.

(i). A Beneficiary name and contact address.
(ii). Your direct Office Telephone/Mobile.
(iii). Your Age and occupation.

Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details. The business transaction must be kept top secret for security reasons.

Sincerely,
Richard H. Dagger

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam