419 scam: "Sgt. Paul Phillips"<sgtpaul.phillips903@live.com> In Good Faith.

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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Sgt. Paul Phillips" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <p-sgtpaul@live.com>
Date: Mon, 16 May 2011 10:09:15 -0700
Subject: In Good Faith.

Dear Beloved

Stritcly confidential,secrecy & transparency.

My name is I Sgt. Paul Phillips am a British soldier,serving in the military with the 1st armored Division in Iraq. I and my superior, moved funds belonging to Saddam Hussein which is stole,we just took few out of the total sum, which is $5,500,000.00 (Five million Five Hundred US dollars) this money is being kept safe in a security company. Click on this link to read about event that took place here http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ middle_east/2988455.stm If you are interested you can reach me back via email. I am now with the united nations in London working under the United nations since we are working for the government we cannot keep these funds, we have decided to look for someone to help us keep this funds That is why I have contacted you, so you can keep it for us in your safe account You will take 50%, 50% will be for me and my superior. This business is confidential, and it should not be discussed with anyone. There is no risk involved whatsoever. If you are interested I will send you the full detail
Its %100 risk free transaction,No scam,No fraud & Hoax,because there are so many imposters now impersonating me.

Thanks for accepting my proposal.
Regards
Sgt. Paul Phillips.
"In God We trust

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam