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.
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:
"courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
"manager-files@admin.in.th" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MRS.HELEN MATHEW" <info1160@cantv.net> Reply-To: manager-files@admin.in.th Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 14:07:28 -0430 (VET) Subject: ***SPAM*** GOOD DAY TO YOU!
GOOD DAY TO YOU! THE US GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED YOUR OVERDUE INHERETANCE FUND OF 2.5MILLION, MEANWHILE AN ATM CARD HAS BEEN APPROVED ON YOUR FAVOR ,KINDLY CONTACT DHL COURIER COMPANY WITH YOUR FULL CONTACT ADDRESS TO AVOID DELIVERY TO THE WRONG PERSON, CONTACT THEM ON THE BELOW INFOR TO ENABLE THEM DELIVER YOUR CARD TO YOU.CONGRATULATIONS!
