419 scam: "Dr. Smith Williams" <dr.wsmith71@live.com> Dear John VICTIMNAME, (TREAT AS URGENT REPLY).

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Smith Williams" <dr.wsmith71@live.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2010 23:19:38 +0000
Subject: Dear John VICTIMNAME, (TREAT AS URGENT REPLY).

Dear John VICTIMNAME,

Please I don’t understand the mail you sent to me that you have made the payment, when I have not giving you the information to send the US$190 yet?

You have to go and send the US$190 with the information below for the release of your ATM CARD package to your doorstep with your provided address,

I urge you to re-send the payment immediately with this present information below, so that you can effect the payment for the Security Keeping Fees. As soon as they confirm your payment of $190, they will not hesitate to dispatch your package as well as the attached letter to your residence. It usually takes 24 hours being an over night delivery service.

Payment Advice.

Receiver Name: OKWUACHI DESTINY
Address location; Lagos, Nigeria
Text question: Good
Answer: Faith
Amount: $190 USD

Once payment is made get back to me with the confirmation details listed below.

Sender Name
Confirmation MTCN number
Text Question and Answer used
Sender address used.

Waiting for the payment.

Yours Faithfully,

Dr. Smith William.
FedEx Online Team Management

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam