419 scam: "micheal" <info@file.com> THIS MESSAGE MUST NOT BE IGNORED PLEASEE

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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:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "million 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)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "micheal" <info@file.com>
Reply-To: interpolinvestigationpolice@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 09 Feb 2021 18:18:59 -0800
Subject: THIS MESSAGE MUST NOT BE IGNORED PLEASEE

U.S INTERPOL Washington
U.S. National Central Bureau
Washington, DC 20530-0001

ATTENTION PLEASE:

Foremost, we introduce this commission, The INTERPOL. We fight global crime including internet fraud and money laundering. Our commission has rounded-up well over 27,000 fraudsters and we are still battling these nefarious individuals. We are aware that quite a lot of people have been conned and defrauded of so much huge amounts of funds.

The United Nation has vowed to combat these crimes even at this present time that covid 19 is affecting the world at large. As such due to their efforts and contributions, we have been able to recover over USD$1.3 Million Dollars (One Million Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) till date. Amongst the details yours was found to include your email. Our aim is to return all lost assets including funds to legitimate individuals identified.

After a mandated investigation of the apprehended persons, the United Nations has approved the total sum of USD$200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only), as compensation to the fund you lost. This amount will be paid to you in the oncoming days with your co-operation as we commence to conclude the investigation on your case.

There will be a series of questions that will be asked to aid us in rounding-up your case file.

Please respond with your full names and address, country of origin, company's name and position (if any), current occupation, daytime mobile (phone) number for easy communication for ratification and to redeem your fund. We await your swift response to this notification.

Regards Deputy Director
Michael A. Hughes

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam