419 scam: "Rev. Steven Jones" <anthonychuks40@yahoo.ca> Dear Valued Beneficiary

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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:
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
- fmf20082009@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Rev. Steven Jones" <anthonychuks40@yahoo.ca>
Reply-To: rev.stevencim2@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:41:50 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dear Valued Beneficiary

Dear Valued Beneficiary,This is to officially inform you that your winning/Inheritance fund has been dully approved and gazette for you via ATM Visa Card after due reconciliation with the Audit Report of the year. Your Personal Identification Number is (ATM-811) The ATM Visa Card is Valued at $3.2M ( USA) You are advised to contact the ATM/Computer Department, message to be addressed to The Paymaster General,Mr. George Ibeh, the accountant general of Central Bank Of Nigeria for further direction on how to receive your ATM VISA CARD.Contact information is as below; Email: fmf20082009@gmail.com Respond immediately with the under listed information's for clarity and avoidance of error;FULL NAME,ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER,STATE/COUNTRY, OCCUPATION,SEX,AGE,Your Prompt response recommended for immediate attention,Regards,Steven Jones Public Relations officer CBN/ZBP.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam