419 scam: "European Union," Greetings! Sir /Madam

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- ",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)
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.
- mendezmrcarlos@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "European Union,"
Reply-To: <mendezmrcarlos@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2023 01:08:57 -0700
Subject: Greetings! Sir /Madam

From the desk of: Mr. Carlos Mendez

European Union Payment Verification Department.

RE: US$50,000,000.00 FIFTY MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS, APPROVED PAYMENT OF YOUR OVERLONG DUE OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS.

I am Mr. Carlos Mendez of

European Union (EU) The auditors responsible for verified of claims to the beneficiaries.

You are being contacted regarding the release of your long awaited lawful entitlement funds.

After a detailed review of your payments, the European Union has approved and mandated that part payment sum of US$50,000,000.00 Fifty Million United States Dollars Only) will be paid to you by this quarter of the year.

I therefore wish to inform you that your payments is being processed and will be paid to you by our Bank, Via CERTIFIED BANK CHECK as soon as you respond to this letter without any delay.

Sincerely, we are emotionally concerned about your plight over the Years, as revealed by your Original Payment File.

For your record purposes and kindly
A--Your Name and Address where your CERTIFIED BANK CHECK will be send to

B--Your Phone and Copy of Identification

EMAIL REPLY-- mendezmrcarlos@gmail.com

I await your prompt response,
Best Regards,
Mr.Carlos Mendez
European Union ,Office

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam