419 scam: "Mrs.Anita Smith" <payment.socialservices@gmail.com> you have been approved for a payment

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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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
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.
- info.office74@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Anita Smith" <payment.socialservices@gmail.com>
Reply-To: info_deptment@cooltoad.com
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:59:21 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: you have been approved for a payment

ATTENTION: Beneficiary,

We are delighted to inform you that your compasention has been approved by the United Nation. You will be paid $850,000 only.You are advice to re-confirm these to us,

Your Full Name,
Contact address,
Occupation
Telephone
And Fax Number for easy communication.

Once we get these details, we will process your payment and notify you accordingly. For clarification, call Attention Nicholas Anderson or email:info.office74@gmail.com

Thanks
Mrs.Anita Smith

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam