419 scam: "REV,Dr Festus Mark." <williamsjon3@att.net> Your approved funds are ready,

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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.
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.
- revdrfestusmark@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "REV,Dr Festus Mark." <williamsjon3@att.net>
Reply-To: mark.revdrfestus@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2011 03:30:01 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Your approved funds are ready,

REV,Dr Festus Mark.
HEIR CLAIMS CONSULT.
17B, Castle Arcade Belfast,
Northern, Ireland BT1 5DG. U.K.

Dear Sir,

This is to hereby inform you that there is no more time to waste, your file has been under process and all modalities for your payment are at the verge of completion.
You are therefore advised to contact this department for instant payment.of $10,5 million,
Re-confirm:
1.Your name
2.Your telephone
3.Your address
United Nation Debt Reconciliation Department
Contact Person: REV,Dr Festus Mark.
revdrfestusmark@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam