419 scam: "Ravi"<informdept@aim.com> Hello.

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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:
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
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.
- marquesmraul@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Ravi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <marquesmraul@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2011 03:23:40 +0100
Subject: Hello.

EUROPEAN UNION POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE
Probate registration Department and The European Ministry of Funds Chapter Commission)
Rue Belliard / Belliardstraat, 99 B-1000 Brussels - Belgium

Attention:Beneficiary

This is to notify you that we have intercepted your parcel from SPANISH INTERNATIONAL COURIER DELIVERY SERVICE,we have stopped the delivery process for some security reasons stated below:

1. Our scanning system has detected that your parcel contains a confirmable Certified Cheque of ?1.5million euros only.

2. Such Certified Cheque from Europe is been verified by the EUROPEAN POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE which we have directed our inspection team to proceed with the verification to as certain the authenticity of the Certified Cheque and now after all the verification on the Parcel.

EUROPEAN POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE made it known to our office that the Certified Cheque of ?1.5million euros only is a Genuine,Legal and Official from the Spanish Central Bank giving Banco Santander the full right to deliver the cheque to given address in your country.

We have also forwarded the Serial Number of the Certified Cheque to the EUROPEAN MONETARY FUND DEPARTMENT.EUROPEAN MONETARY FUND DEPARTMENT confirmed that the Certified Cheque of ?1.5million euros only is Authentic and ready to be cashed at any any banks in your country.

Due to Law that was imposed by EUROPEAN MONETARY FUND DEPARTMENT regarding delivering or transferring a huge of amount above one million euros to an Estate owners in Europe or outside European countries

With this reason, you are in obligation to obtain from a Duly Sworn Affidavit from European High Court which will back up the Origin of Fund because of any interrogation from your Country Government and Tax Department in your country.

This is in line with the Anti-Terrorist Campaign which the EUROPEAN Government has embarked on recently to protect our Territory from future attacks on European Countries.

You should therefore contact the Filling Protocol Officer Mr Marques Raul who is acting on your behalf to make sure your certified cheque is deliver to your given address so that he can travel to the European High Court to know the procedures to get the Sworn Affidavit,as soon as this Sworn Affidavit is obtain your certified cheque will be deliver to your given address within 2 working days.

You have to contact Mr Marques Raul so that he can make an enquiry on how to get the document.

Officer to contact:Mr Marques Raul

Email Address: marquesmraul@aol.com

Sincerely,

Mrs Jane De Brouw
Chief European Postal Inspector,
European Union Postal Inspection Service

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam