419 scam: "Maj Gen David Perkins" <dperkins450@hotmail.com> Can I Trust 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:

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:
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.
- dperkins450@rediffmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Maj Gen David Perkins" <dperkins450@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: dperkins450@rediffmail.com
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2010 01:42:01 -0700 (MST)
Subject: Can I Trust You?

From: Maj Gen David Perkins

Private Email: dperkins450@rediffmail.com

I hope my email meets you well. I am in need of your assistance. My name
is Maj Gen David Perkins; in the Engineering military unit here in
Ba'qubah in Iraq; I and my Co Officers discovered some US dollars huge
amount of funds belonging to fleeing regime leaders in Iraq, which the
amount will not be disclose now for securities reasons.

This money is being kept safe in a secured location; we would disclose to
you later. You can go through this website to understand events that took
place in Iraq at the time of operation.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

My partners and I need a reliable and low-key person to handle a very
confidential transaction based on unflinching trust as we have not met
before. It is oil money and legal. Basically since we are still serving
officers with American Army, we are not allowed to have or keep discovered
looted funds around us, Hence we decided to look for someone to help us
relocate and keep this funds for us, that is why I have contacted you, so
that you can keep it for us in your safe account or custody un-till we
complete our foreign service in Iraq. But we are moving it through
Diplomatic means, to send it to your country directly or a bank of your
choice using Diplomatic Courier Service.

The most important thing is that can we trust you? Once the funds get to
you, you take your 30% out and keep our 70%. Your part of this deal is to
find a safe place where the funds can be sent to. Our part is sending it
to you. If you are interested I will furnish you with more details.

Our assurance is that your role is risk-free. To accord this transaction
the legality it deserves and for mutual security of the fund, the whole
approval procedures will be officially and legally processed with your
name or the name of any company you may nominate as the bonafide
beneficiary, as in an ideal situation. It is imperative that you bear in
mind that having put in 19 years in the service of the government; I am
averse to having my image and career dented. This matter should therefore
be treated with utmost secrecy.

Kindly expedite action by contacting me on my private e-mail address
dperkins450@rediffmail.com indicating your interest.

Regards,
Maj Gen David Perkins

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam