419 scam: "Howell H. Purvis"<testmail@hub420.co.uk> kindly do get back to me

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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:
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Howell H. Purvis" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <howellpurvis202022@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2021 05:31:50 +0100
Subject: kindly do get back to me

From Howell H.Purvis
United States Secret Service
Dept of Homeland Security.

Attention:

Due to frequent reports of payment abuse and scams going on in Africa
especially Nigeria, We where mandated by the new President of the
United States Mr Joe Biden to assist victims of scams and fraud in
recovering of there over due funds, with the mandate we have carried
out random investigation on outstanding payments of beneficiaries
claims within the banks in Nigeria, since most payments originates
from Nigeria, We have discovered that your funds has already been
claimed by impostors and you are been deceived by the scammers that
you still have payments in other for them to continue to obtain money
from you, please stop dealing with whomever, it will be a futile
adventure and waste of your hard earned funds, be warned.

We have entered into agreement with the Nigerian government on your
behalf that compensation be paid to you due to the time and money you
have lost. They have agreed to pay you the amount of USD$1.3(One
Million Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)Only, which must
be processed afresh without any external party.

If you are ready to accept this compensation, kindly do get back to me
for more information.

Do send me the below information:

1)Names and address
2)Your direct contact numbers
3)A copy of your photo id

Attached is my work id.
Regards.

Special Agent Howell H. Purvis
Director(Us Secret Service)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam