419 scam: Dr Malam Mohamed <malam.mohamed1@gmail.com> URGENT REPLY NEEDED,

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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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Dr Malam Mohamed <malam.mohamed1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: malam.mohamed2@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 6 May 2011 13:55:35 +0100 (BST)
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEEDED,

Dear Friend,

How are you and your family? My name is, Dr.Malam Mohamed, from Burkina Faso. I am a professional banker, working with one of the well-known international banks in Africa. I recovered an intestate account file of US$12,5, owned by one of our foreign customers. My further investigations into the account proved that the account holder involved in a jet crash that killed him, his family and close relatives, leaving no one behind to file claim on the account. In fact all the efforts I made to locate any of his relative or foreign business partners since last year were futile.

Therefore, I have decided to position you before my bank as the Foreign Business Partner/Consultant of the deceased in order to get the funds transferred in your account since no one will come for the claim thereafter. I am ready to reward you with 37% of the total sum for your corporate assistance. Invariably, I cannot handle this deal successfully without your help because I am a civil servant, besides, I cannot stand as the claimant to a foreigner. The secret is bound between me and you. If you are capable, get back to me promptly with your full detailed information, so that I will send you the application for this claim. Do not entertain any fear for there is no risk. I am waiting for your urgent response,

Sincerely,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam