419 scam: "V N"<dvd_mike@live.com> THIS IS IT, LET US WORK

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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:
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348060653156 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "V N" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <victornkem@live.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2010 18:24:23 +0100
Subject: THIS IS IT, LET US WORK

>From Mr. Victor Nkem
Secretary to foreign remittance,
Zenith Bank Plc.

Attention.

Sorry to distract your attention, I am Mr. Victor Nkem. The Secretary to foreign remittance department. In my department, I found the deposited fund amounted (7.6Million ) belonging to our late customer who died along with his entire family during the Iraq crisis on October 2006. However, I shall detail you with the full information as soon as I hear from you. Can you be able and capable to assist me by providing your receiving bank account where this fund will lodge in your favour?

I shall give you 40% of the total sum as soon as this fund hits your account and I shall visit you in your country for the Shearing. Please this is very confidential, therefore keep it to yourself alone. Consequently if you agree to handle this business with me, I shall facilitate to you further details to enhance an immediate transfer of this funds without any atom of delays as soon as I receive your return mail.

Thanks & Best Regards

Mr.Victor Nkem.

Telephone.+234 80 60653156

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam