419 scam: wilfredadams <wilfredadams@hot.ee> Dear Sir/Madam,

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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "million 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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: wilfredadams <wilfredadams@hot.ee>
Reply-To: wilfredadams@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:57:06 +0300
Subject: Dear Sir/Madam,

Dear Sir/Madam,
This is a management placement on behalf of a top
government official in Africa. He is looking for an experienced
businessperson/company that can profitably invest money in excess of
Thirty Nine million United States Dollars outside Africa. The sum will
be paid from North American.
Most importantly, you will be required
to:
(1) Act as the original beneficiary of the funds.
(2) Receive
the funds into a business/private bank account.
(3) Invest/manage the
funds outside Africa.
The top government official is willing to pay
10% for your role as the beneficiary partner to the funds, also a
subsequent 10% 'Management Commission' will be paid for your advised
investment services. A further 5% will be used to write off any expenses
incurred in the course of transferring the principal sum.If you prefer
to be re-contacted for more express information, please send us your:(a)
full name;(b) contact address:(c) Direct telephone number, fax number:
and Identification document.
With best regards,
Wilfred Adams

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam