419 scam: "Dan Watkins"<dan_watkins1967@yahoo.com.hk> URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED...

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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:
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dan Watkins" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dan_watkins1968@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2011 06:10:09 -0700
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED...

Hello Friend,

My name is Dan Watkins, a senior staff and executive of a bank here
in United Kingdom.I have only written to seek your indulgence and assistance.

I wish to make a transfer involving a huge amount.I am proposing
to make this transfer to a designated bank account of your choice.Thus,
for your indulgence and support, I propose an offer of 25% of the total
amount to be yours after the transfer has been successfully concluded.

Kindly reply me stating your interest, and I shall furnish you with the
details and necessary procedure with which to make the transfer.

I anxiously await your response.

Thanks and God bless.

Sincerely yours,

Dan Watkins

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam