419 scam: "Mr. Mike Amatel"<info@metl.net> Business Proposition

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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)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Mike Amatel" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mike.amate1960@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2017 21:49:00 -0000
Subject: Business Proposition

Dear Friend,

I am writing you this email from the dictates of my instinct, this is a personal email directed to you and I request that it should be treated as such. I believe that life is all about chances and utilization of opportunities that comes our way. It's obvious we don't know each other yet, but we don't know why nature is crossing our path today, meeting new people in our lives is a never-ending circle.

I want to seek your assistance and partnership to receive a transfer sum of $5.3m (Five Million And Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) into your offshore bank account, out of which you will get 40% ($2.1 million) as your own share. Revert back to me with your reachable mobile phone for further details if you can handle a deal of this nature.

I anticipate your urgent reply.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Mike Amatel

HSBC bank London

External Auditor/Consultant

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam