419 scam: "Mr. Paul Adams"<mikeadmr1@gmail.com> Mr. Mike Adams

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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Paul Adams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mikeadmr@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2015 14:05:22 -0700
Subject: Mr. Mike Adams

My name is Mr. Mike Adams, chief accountant with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (FMA) Nigeria.

It is with trust and confidence that i write to make this urgent business arrangement to you. I am seeking for a foreign partner who will assist me in providing a convenient foreign account in any designated bank abroad for the transfer of US$35,500,000.00 pending on my arrival in your country for utilization and disbursement with the owner of the account.

This amount results from a deliberate inflation of the value of a contract awarded by my Ministry - the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (FMA) to an expatriate company, the contract has been executed and payment made to the original contractor, remaining the over-invoiced amount of US$35.5 million, which i want to transfer out of my country in your favor for disbursement between me and you. The transfer of this money can only be possible with the help of a foreigner who will be presented as the beneficiary of the funds.

As government officials, we are not allowed to operate foreign accounts and this is the reason why i decided to contact you. I have agreed that if you/your company can act as the beneficiary of this funds (US$35,500,000.00 Million) 30% of the total sum will be for you for providing the account where the funds will be transferred into, while 70% will be reserved for me.

Please note that i have been careful and have made all arrangements towards the success and smooth transfer of the funds to your account before contacting you. Be rest assured that this transaction is 100% risk free, more details about this transaction will be given to you as soon as i receive your positive respond.

Your urgent response will be appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Mike Adams

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam