419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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.

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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:
- "dhl-customer-service@universitarios.com" (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: Ruth Harper <analistacuentas3@fundacionhomi.org.co>
Reply-To:
"dhl-customer-service@universitarios.com" <dhl-customer-service@universitarios.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2015 02:36:45 -0500 (COT)
Subject: =?utf-8?Q?Good_news._Your_account_will_?=
=?utf-8?Q?be_release_for_your_payment.=E2=80=8F?=

Attention My Dear:
I'm Just received a call from Frank Larry. the Director Of DHL Company Benin that the $3.830 ( Million Usd ) cash ATM CARD payment compensation which I sent to is returned back due to wrong address provided, They need the reconfirmation of the below information: Dr.Frank.Larry,DIRECTOR,DHL FOREIGN DELIVERY SECTION Email: (dhl-customer-service@universitarios.com ) DHL EXPRESS COMPANY.MOST IMPORTANT, reconfirm your current delivery address and phone number to them. I will not be reached till June 20th, 2016. Your amount in the Card is US$3.830.00 Million and the PIN code of your ATM CARD is: in the parcel do not dispose the information to them only that is your family treasure.They told me that their keeping fee is $35. Per day and you have to email them now..

Mrs. Ruth Harper

--
AVISO LEGAL: La informacion enviada en este mensaje es confidencial de la Fundacion Hospital de la Misericordia y esta dirigida unicamente para el uso de la persona o la entidad a la cual esta dirigido. Si Usted no es el destinatario, le informamos que no podra usar, retener, imprimir, copiar, distribuir o hacer publico su contenido, de hacerlo podria tener consecuencias legales como las contenidas en la Ley 1273 del 5 de Enero de 2009 y todas las que le apliquen. Si usted es el destinatario, le solicitamos mantener reserva sobre el contenido a no ser que exista una autorizacion explicita. Si usted ha recibido esta comunicacion por error, notifiquenos inmediatamente a informatica@fundacionhomi.org.co y elimine el mensaje.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam