419 scam: "Rev. Innocent Mark" <Revmark@grtregency.com> DEAR FRIEND

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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)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
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.
- jerry_allen38@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Rev. Innocent Mark" <Revmark@grtregency.com>
Reply-To: jerry_allen38@aol.com
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2014 01:03:03 +0530 (IST)
Subject: DEAR FRIEND

Dear Friend,

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this
mail meets you in a perfect condition. I am using this opportunity to
thank you for Your great effort to our unfinished transfer of $10.5million
USD, due to logistic reasons or the other best known to you.

But I Want to inform you that I have successfully cleared the Fund with
someone who was capable of assisting me in this great venture.

Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trustworthiness you showed at
the course of the transaction I want to compensate you,show my gratitude
to you With the sum of $2.5 Million United State of America Dollars I have
authorized Mr. John Bolton,where I deposited my money to issue you Certify
International Bank Draft, which you can in any international bank in
anywhere in the word.

My dear friend I will like you to contact Mr. Jerry Allen for the
collection of this Certified Bank draft immediately.

The name and contact address of the man who is incharge of your cash in
UNTIED STATE OF AMERICA IS Mr. Jerry Allen,is as follows.

Name: Mr. Jerry Allen
Address.Untied State of America
Telephone: +151-2256-3319
Email: jerry_allen38@aol.com

Contact Mr. Jerry Allen at the moment, I am very busy here because of the
investment projects which I and my new partner are having at hand In
chaina

Finally remember that I have forwarded instruction to the Mr. Jerry Allen
on your behalf to send the Certify Bank Draft of 2.5 Million United State
Of America Dollars to you as soon as you contact him without delay.

Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is
>From the bottom of my heart.

Thanks and God bless you and your family. Hope to hear from you soon.

Rev. Innocent Mark

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam