419 scam: "Mrs. Joan Ling"<inter.ru@hotmail.com> Check this out and get back to us.

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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "terrorist clearance certificate" ("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. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "loanservice01@sify.com" (This email address looks like addresses used in fake loan scams. Be suspicious of any lender who uses a free webmail address or who is based in different country from yourself.)
- "loanservice01@sify.com" (This email address looks like addresses used in fake loan scams. Be suspicious of any lender who uses a free webmail address or who is based in different country from yourself.)
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.
- loanservice01@sify.com (Sify; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Joan Ling" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <loanservice01@sify.com>
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:55:26 +0800
Subject: Check this out and get back to us.

From: Director General’s
Office/Ministry of Finance,
Kuala-Lumpur - Malaysia

Attn: Honorable Beneficiary.
Dear Sir/Madam,

This is to bring to your notice that this office has taking over all the money Transaction
originated from any part of African and Europe countries as Contract payment, Fund Inheritance
or Lottery Winning due to unauthorized/incapability of financial Institutions/Security companies
In releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud, terrorist and money Laundry activities going on world wide.

The World Bank Group has Mandated the Director General’s Office/Ministry of Finance under the Office
of the President Kuala-Lumpur - Malaysia to release funds to beneficiaries through certified International
Cashier's Bank Draft, Hence Your Name appears as one of the fund beneficiaries whom their fund was
successfully cleared recently From Terrorist and Money laundry and your money will be released to
you Through International Cashier's Bank Draft that will be cashable from any International Bank
in your country been the only way you would receive your money to avoid paying excess charges.

As regards to this arrangement you are advised to contact the telex director Hon Ling Jones.
(Deputy Minister of Finance) Email:loanservice01@sify.com inform him to issue you the International Cashier's bank Draft with the complete name
you would provide to him.

You are therefore advised to forward your direct telephone numbers Your complete name and your mailing address
to Hon Ling Jones (Deputy Minister of Finance) for Immediate release of your money most importantly be aware
that Ten Million UNITED STATES Dollars Only (US$10,000,000.00) was allocated to you as first installment
payment, while the balance will follow after successful claims by you, be also informed That the Funds
Approvals and Authorization document Including Anti-Terrorist Clearance Certificate was issued in your
name and has been handed over to Hon Ling Jones (Deputy Minister of Finance) to release to you through
any faster courier service.

Therefore be aware that your fund has obtained all it's clearance to be released to you. Finally Hon Ling
Jones (Deputy Minister of Finance) is standby to receive your communication and Release your funds to you
through International Cashier' Bank Draft Without ANY delay.

Make your contact directly to Hon Ling Jones (Deputy Minister of Finance) , Email:
loanservice01@sify.com, anytime because we are working 24 Hours to be able to meet
up with the mandate given to us by the world bank. It is more better that you make your contact to Hon.
Ling Jones through telephone for more detailed information as he is a very busy Man.

Nevertheless you can send your response to this email and it will be forwarded to him as soon as we receive it.

Thanks for Your Cooperation.

Mrs. Joan Ling (secretary)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam