419 scam: Sir Steven <fin@webnetadmin001.onmicrosoft.com> Your Urgent Response Needed

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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "sir_steven@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Sir Steven <fin@webnetadmin001.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <sir_steven@outlook.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 14:34:39 +0530
Subject: Your Urgent Response Needed

Dear Sir/Madam, I am sorry for invading your privacy. My name is Sir Steven=
Adams.I am from New Zealand but currently in the UK. I have been a success=
ful businessman for the past 20 years, my business interests has spanned th=
e sectors of metals, oil and precious stones in Asia, Africa and Europe, du=
ring this time, I have amassed a lot of wealth but recently I was diagnosed=
with esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and=
right now I have only about a few weeks to live. I am very rich, but was n=
ever generous; I have given most of my assets to my immediate family member=
s but my mind is not at peace since I have a dream of giving back to the so=
ciety and helping the needy in our world. I have decided to give alms and d=
onations to charity organizations. I cannot do this myself anymore because =
of my health. I once asked members of my family to give some money to chari=
ty organizations,they refused and kept the money for themselves that made m=
y health heavy and uneasy. I have a huge cash deposit in a secured bank sin=
ce 2010. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to=
charity organizations for charity work under your supervision. You will ta=
ke out 30% of these funds for your assistance. Please answer these question=
s,Contact me via: sir_steven@outlook.com. [1] Full Names: [2] Your Country:=
[3] Direct Telephone [4] Date of birth: [5] Occupation: Regards, Sir Steve=
n Adams.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam