419 scam: "Astra Finance"<astrafinance@meta.ua> Compensation Fund

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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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "astrafinance@meta.ua" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447092843673 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- astrafinance@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- email:- astrafinance@sify.com; astrafinance@meta.ua (Sify; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Astra Finance" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 18:51:25 +0100
Subject: Compensation Fund

From:-      James Johnson Smith

                Senior Partner - Astra Finance Inc.

Telefax:-    +44-70-9284-3673; +44-70-9284-3674

Email:-      astrafinance@sify.com; astrafinance@meta.ua

                astra.finc@yahoo.de

Attn.:        Beneficiary

Subject:    Outstanding Payment

Dear sir/Madam,

Astra Finance Inc is an international fiduciary agent with a Special Working Arrangement (SWA) with the United Nations and World Bank Auditors to verify and recomend for immediate compensation package, all foreign nationals who have suffered any form of scams from Africa in particular and some other countries in general.

You information was submitted and that is why we are contacting you to intimate you that a total sum of US$3.5m (Three Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only) has been approved to be paid to you as a Compensation Package.

You are hereby requested to choose from the options below, the mode that you will want to receive your compensation package

Bank Transfer:-

You will be requested to provide your full banking information for the immediate remittance of the compensation fund

Cash Payment:-

The fund will be brought to you in your country or anywhere that you may so desired through a special diplomatic arrangement.

It is our beleive that you will avail yourself of this golden opportunity by responding fast to this email

Your urgent response is being awaited so as to enable us expedite action on your payment accordingly.

Congratulations!

Regards

Yours faithfully

for: Astra Finance Inc.

James Johnson Smith

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam