419 scam: "SGT.PICCHIONE FRANCIS J."<info@mail.com> BUSINESS CO-OPERATION NEEDED FROM YOU

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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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: "SGT.PICCHIONE FRANCIS J." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gmark8487@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 16:30:08 +0100
Subject: BUSINESS CO-OPERATION NEEDED FROM YOU

Dear Sir/Madam,

Good day and compliments, I know this letter will definitely come to you as a huge surprise, but I implore you to take the time to go through it carefully as the decision you make will go a long way to determine my future and continued existence. Please allow me to introduce myself.I am Sgt.Picchione Francis,a member of the US 3rd Infantry Division ‘Iron’Brigade Combat Team,remaining at Mahmudiyah in Iraq.I am desperately in need of an assistance hence i summoned up courage to contact you.

Also, I do hereby wish to crave your indulgence for your time to visit the BBC website as stated below to enable you have the brief insight as to what I’m intending to share with you, believing that it might interest you one way or the other.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

Meanwhile,I am presently in Iraq and I found your contact particulars in an internet address journal.I am seeking your assistance to receive the sum of $50 Million(Fifty Million USD) as far as I can be assured that it will be safe in your care until I complete my service here. This is no stolen money and there are no dangers involved.

I have successfully moved the fund through a diplomat to a better secured place.I do not know for how long I will remain here as I have been lucky to have survived two suicide bomb attacks by Pure Divine intervention. This and other reasons put into consideration have prompted me to reach out for help.

Get back to me after visiting the e-mail to enable us discuss in details and also do not misconstrue my intention. I’m just being very strict and careful.

Respectfully,

Sgt.Picchione Francis J.
gmark8487@sbcglobal.net

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam