419 scam: "Syed A. Aban"<anonymous@earthlink.net> Hello

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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "consignment " (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 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)
This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.
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.
- syedaaban@sify.com (Sify; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Syed A. Aban" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <syedaaban@sify.com>
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:44:56 -0800
Subject: Hello

Dear Friend, As you read this, do not feel sorry for me, because I believe everyone will die someday. My name is Syed Aban a merchant in Dubai, U.A.E.I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only limited days to live,according to medical experts. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone(not even myself) but my business.Though I am very rich, I was never generous, always hostile and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared about. I assumed being a shrewd and mean businessman meant no room for failure in life. But now I regret all this as I know that there is more to life than just wanting to have all the money in the world, and i wish i lived my life better than i did. Now that God has changed me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends. I see this as a rebirth for me, a chance to do something right for once, so God can have mercy on me accept my soul so, I have decided to give also to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, Malaysia, and India. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore.I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria and Pakistan, they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them. The last bulk consignment of my money which no one knows about, is the huge cash deposit of twenty million dollars $20,000,000,00 that I have with a finance Company abroad. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and share it to charity organizations. I have set aside 10% for your time and service.Please reply to my personal email at syedaaban@sify.com with honesty as soon as you receive this eMail. God be with you. Syed A. Aban.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam