419 scam: "Central Bank of Nigeria." <mremeka@bellsouth.net> Dear Friend,

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
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.
- mrsidris@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Central Bank of Nigeria." <mremeka@bellsouth.net>
Reply-To: "Central Bank of Nigeria." <11495488@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 20:48:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Dear Friend,

Dear Friend,

My names are Mrs Lina Binti Idris, I am from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
my husband had just file for dissolution of our marriage, the divorce suit
is pending at court of law here in Malaysia, if he succeed it means he is
entitle to half of my money and property i inherited from my late father.
Because I know that was the reason while he files divorce paper, I can
forward everything to you both the divorce paper for you to go through.
Right now I have $5.5Mus fixed deposited in the Security Finance
Company. I have contacted you to assist in transferring this money to
your nominated bank account before the court decides the divorce case, as
we have the same dreams together, there is no way I can let it happen
because who will take care of my kids?.
I know that I have not offended you, if this proposition offends your
moral values, please do accept my apology looking forward to hear from
you soon.Through my private e:mail address: mrsidris@hotmail.com,

With best regards
Mrs Lina B. Idris.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam