419 scam: "Rakest Maria"<anti.terroristsqdd@yahoo.in> ANTI TERRORIST SQUAD, MUMBAI.

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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:
- "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)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Rakest Maria" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <antiterroristsqd60@yahoo.in>
Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:57:24 +0100
Subject: ANTI TERRORIST SQUAD, MUMBAI.

Maharashtra Police Department,
ANTI TERRORIST SQUAD, MUMBAI.

Dear : Citizen,

We have been in process of citizenship card and file of India citizens, processing your file we understood that you are a good person and your financial capability marks up 100percent and suites capable to handle the compensation prize.I am Ramesh Maria the Chief Officer of the Anti-terror squad Mumbai, i believe you know our competence and abilities in Indian security. I write in favor to give you an offer as your file which i have processed gives me courage of your capablity and personality. We have been summoned to release all unclaimed funds to Indian citizens who are capable of handling such amount and on the bases of compesation from the present government to Indian citizens. After passing your file i was convinced to fund the sum of $10,000.000 Million United States Dollars to you asgift of compensation from the Indian government.

Please you requested to reply urgently so you can be given a date of invitation to our office to have the Cheque darft of the compensation fund.

Note: You are therefore advised to keep your notification confidential from public hearing as to maintain peace and order as the favor is not for all citizens.

Congratulation.

Chief
Rakesh Maria
Anti-terror squad
(ATS MUMBAI).

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam