419 scam: "Desmond Lawrence" <officemail_desmondlawrence@rocketmail.com> I am happy to inform

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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.
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- secretary.tom_smith@rocketmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Desmond Lawrence" <officemail_desmondlawrence@rocketmail.com>
Reply-To: secretary.tom_smith@rocketmail.com
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:22:52 -0400
Subject: I am happy to inform

Dear

I am happy to inform you about my great success in transferring the fund
(USD25.520.862.85) with the help of my new partner in Paraguay. I am very
sorry it didn't work out for us, not my fault you know. Presently, I am now
in Hong Kong for investment project with my own share of the fund.

Meanwhile, I didn't forget your past efforts and honest attempts to assist me
in transferring this fund, though we could not transfer this fund due to the
frustration and blackmail during that time. For the assistance you gave me
during this period my good friend, I want to compensate you with the sum of
(USD 1.500.000.00} for strongly standing by me and all the money you spent
during this days.

I am fully aware that the fund I am sending you as compensation for your past
effort is small, but please, kindly take it like that. As soon as I am
through with my investment project I will get in touch with you OK.

Please contact my secretary TOM SMITH in his personal Email:
secretary.tom_smith@rocketmail.com now for further information regarding the
compensation fund for directives and payment into your account in London.

I have paid the money into (Bank of England) My secretary will tell you how
the fund will be paid to you and how to contact this bank.

Honestly, your efforts was highly appreciated. Be free to contact my
secretary with an instruction on where to pay the money OK. Secondly, do let
me know immediately you receive the compensation fund on my same email
address as you have it for sharing of joy after a long time.

At the moment, I am very busy with my partner/ business counterpart in the
area of investment in Hong Kong. In two weeks , I think we may be free of it
all. Thank God that everything is working accordingly at the moment.

Finally,remember that I have forwarded instructions to my secretary on your
behalf to send the fund to you. So feel free and get in touch with him.

Best Regards

Desmond Lawrence

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam