419 scam: "JOHNSON STEVE"<johnson.steve942@yahoo.com.hk> MRS SIDEK ZAITON IS DEAD 06/04/2013

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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)
- ",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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "JOHNSON STEVE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnsteve615@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2013 21:02:44 -0400
Subject: MRS SIDEK ZAITON IS DEAD 06/04/2013

Dear Friend,

There is absolutely going to be a great doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this email, coupled with the fact that, so many miscreants and impostors (scammers) have taken possession of the internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business class persons to get attention and recognition.

I was busy for the past weeks trying to figure out a possible means of reaching you, not until when I got access to MRS SIDEK ZAITON email box some few days back.

A charity project of (US$5,000,000.00) Five Million U.S.Dollars donation which was willed to you, was found on her email box in your favour.

The fund is presently with a bank and will need to be transfer to you as contained on her will.

Please confirm receipt of this mail so that i can direct you on what to do.

Regards,

Johnson Steve

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam