419 scam: "Joe Allen"<joeallenjoe@yahoo.com> My Sincere Appreciation!

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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)
- "will come to you as a surprise" (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)
- "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)
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.
- ms.selenahowell@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Joe Allen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ms.selenahowell@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Jun 2017 16:01:18 -0700
Subject: My Sincere Appreciation!

My Dear Friend,

How are you doing? I am sure this email will come to you as a surprise owing to the fact that you may not remember me. I contacted you sometimes in the past concerning some funds transfer which for some reasons I didn't conclude it with you.

However am happy to inform you about my success in getting the fund transferred to a Swiss account with the Co-Operation of a new partner from Saudi Arabia, who is an International Businessman/Entrepreneur. In fact I must honestly say without mincing words that I was pleased and blessed to have met with a man of very unquestionable capability to deliver and sensible character.

Currently, I am in Saudi Arabia embarking on an Investment Project with my own share of the total sum, just like I told you then, meanwhile I could not have forgotten your little efforts and attempt to assist me in transferring this Fund, despite the fact that it did not get to the desired conclusion with you. But, that I think was the source of my inspiration to this point. So, just as my highly respectable Late Mother would always say to me "One Good Turn Deserves Another" For this reason, I do wish to give to you the total sum of $1,200,000.00 (One Million Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).

Contact My Secretary, Her Contact Is:
Name: Ms. Selena Howell
Email: ms.selenahowell@gmail.com

Ask her to give you the total sum of $1,200,000.00 which I kept as a compensation for all your past efforts. So, feel free to get in touch and arrange with her on how you will collect the International Draft since I have forwarded instruction to her on your behalf to give you the Draft without any delay.

Finally, please do let me know immediately you receive the money, So that we can both share in the joy of this fulfillment, I am very busy here, because of the project, which my Partner and I are handling at the moment so it will not be easy to connect each other but just send me a note through email then I will read when I check my mail.

With Regards,
Allen

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam