419 scam: "Mr. Eric Stephen" <ericstph50@hotmail.com> Hello 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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million british pounds" (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)
- ",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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
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.
- ericsteph0001@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Eric Stephen" <ericstph50@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2017 06:20:53 +0000
Subject: Hello Friend !!

Hello Dear

I am writing only to look for your indulgence and help, first let me introduce myself, my name is Mr.Eric Morgan Stephen, currently Chief Audit Executive (CAE) Alpha Bank London UK, There is a transaction with an amount of £20,000,000.00.(TWENTY MILLION BRITISH POUNDS STERLING ONLY). fixed deposit,by Mr.John Shumejda. an American Citizen, is now late. The fund is currently in our bank now. I suggest making this transfer to any account from you, I would like to assure you that this transfer is 100% risk free.

When we go through with the transaction, for your help and support, you will have 50% share of the total money while 50% will be my own share, kindly answer me, explain your intension so I can feed you with more Details, so if your interested and honest to do the transaction with me, reply me through this my private email (ericsteph0001@yahoo.com). For more details on this transaction.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thanks and God bless.
Sincerely Yours,
Mr.Eric Morgan Stephen

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam