419 scam: "'michael lesson' via 419trap" <419trap@biographiks.com> i wait to hear from you soon.

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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:
- ",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)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "'michael lesson' via 419trap" <419trap@biographiks.com>
Reply-To: michael lesson <michaellesson76@googlemail.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2016 04:37:02 +0000
Subject: i wait to hear from you soon.

Dear Beneficiary,

I am writing to inform you that following the United Nation's mandate
given to the International Monetary Fund to release or confiscate all
unreleased/pending beneficiary fund, your fund have been ordered back
into the National Treasury through The Federal Ministry of Finance.

Having taken possession of these funds, the Federal Ministry of
Finance, in its tranquility, have decided to compensate all those who
have lost money in one way or the other while trying to claim their
funds and during our international audit, your name appeared as one of
those whom have lost money to agents and never gotten their fund.

Hence, you are advised to contact the office of the secretary for a
compensation of $5,000,000.00 which will be released to you.If you
know you have paid money to anyone while trying to claim your fund
but, yet have not received it or you are still in process of claiming
your fund, you are advise to contact the office below immediately
because, all unreleased funds have been returned to the National
Treasury through the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Send your information (Full names, address, direct phone and complaint
if any) to:

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY: INTERNATIONAL REIMBURSEMENTS AND INDEMNITY
CONTACT AGENT: MR. MICHAEL LESSON
EMAIL: michael.lesson@yandex.com

The moment you contact the above office, your case shall be treated
and you shall be paid but, be informed that all unclaimed payments
from the above office shall be finally confiscated within seven days
should you not contact the office of the Secretary.

Thank you.
Best regards,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam