419 scam: "Alert"<alert@support.com> $500,000.00 Pending Deposit

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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:
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Alert" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrwalter00004@live.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 3 Dec 2011 16:20:52 -0800
Subject: $500,000.00 Pending Deposit

Attn: Beneficiary

The year is almost running out and we are yet to finalize your $500,000.00 transfer, at this point I'm willing to assist you with the $3,000.00 transfer fees, YES; you do not have to pay for the charges anymore from your pocket because it's obvious you cannot come up with the money. Allow my client to fund you with the money and in return, you will compensate us with 10% after your $500,000.00 Winning transfer has been completed this new week.I will have my associate overnight you a Certified check of $3,650.00 for you to cash and send the fees/$3,000.00 to our payment processing center in other to transfer your $500,000.00 win this week to your nominated account. Provide your details below if we have a done deal .

1, Full Name :
2, Physical Mailing Address:
3, City :
4, State :
5, Zip-Code :
6, Home/Cell # :
7, Bank Name :

Please use reference number 250-153 for our mutual convenience

Sincerely,
Basil Walter
Welfare officer,
World Bank Creditors
559-478-1045

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam