419 scam: "Capt P. Ferguson"<captpeter@w.cn> Good wishes

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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:
- "i want to solicit your attention" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Capt P. Ferguson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <captpeterta@ymail.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:53:18 -0000
Subject: Good wishes

Good wishes

I'm sorry to encroach into your privacy in this manner; I found you listed

in the Trade Center Chambers of Commerce directory here in Iraq, I find it

pleasurable to offer you my partnership in business. I only pray at this

time that your address is still valid. I want to solicit your attention to

receive money on my behalf. I'm Capt. Peter, an officer in the US Army, and

also a West Point Graduate presently serving in the 1st Attack

Reconnaissance Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment, Task Force Marauder, of the South Carolina National Guard currently in Iraq.

I'm on the move to Afghanistan from Iraq as the last batch just left, and

i really require your help in assisting me with the safe keeping of two

military trunk boxes which has just arrived the States from Iraq. I hope you

can be trusted? Kindly view this news blog below for some info

http://www.usf-iraq.com/news/headlines

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7444083.stm

If you can be trusted i will explain further when i get a response from

you. Please ensure to reply via my private e-mail address:

Best Regards. Capt P. Ferguson

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam