419 scam: Martins Collins <theresacometa@verizon.net> From: Mrs. Sonia Marisa Hammock.

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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- mrssoniamarisahammock@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Martins Collins <theresacometa@verizon.net>
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:19:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From: Mrs. Sonia Marisa Hammock.

MRS. SONIA MARISA HAMMOCK
REGIONAL AUDITOR
HEAD OFFICE BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK.12 ADB AVENUE, ORTIGAS CENTER, MANDALUYONG CITY
PHILIPPINES.

Dear Friend,
I introduce myself as Mrs. Sonia Marisa Hammock, a citizen of Philippines, I am a top official in charge of client accounts in (EQUITABLE PCI BANK) which is now BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK inside the Philippines the merger was 2007. I have a Business proposition for you involving a huge sum of money (Ten Million, Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). I want to move the funds out of my Bank but will need your help.

Please reply me back at: E-mail: (mrssoniamarisahammock@yahoo.com)

Mrs. Sonia Marisa Hammock.

From: Mrs. Sonia Marisa Hammock.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam