419 scam: Linda Ruci <miss.linda_ruci@hotmail.com> 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:

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)
- "million 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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Linda Ruci <miss.linda_ruci@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: miss.linda_ruci@sify.com
Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:11:33 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dear Friend

Dear Friend I am Miss Linda Ruci From Gambia in west Africa. I want to inquire from you if you can handle this Investment for mutual benefits/life opportunity for you and me.
The Investment is about seeking your consent to Help Me Invest In Your Country, I Work With Mobile Nig. LTD In Abuja, I am A Mechanical Technician With The Company
I and My Director Made Away With The Sum OF Twenty Five Million Dollars (US$25Million dollars) After We Ascape With The Money The Police Trace Us And Capture My Director, To God Be The Glory I Escape With The Money To Near By Country In Mali
Due To The Fear Of Huge Amount , I Kept The Money In Security Company Since Then The Money Has Been There For Long Time, I Want To Use This Opportunity To Ask Your Help To Invest The Money In Your Country
Note/ That This Investment Should Keep As a Top Secret Between You and Me, I will Give You The Security Company Email Adress To Contact in your next mail
Please treat this business proposal with utmost confidentiality and send me the following Informations1,Name...............2,Phone Num.....................3,Country,............................4,International Passport,...........
ThanksMiss Linda Ruci

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam