419 scam: "Mr. James Mark" <web332980@yahoo.com.sg> INVITATION FOR JOINT PARTNERSHIP INVOLVING 20.810 MILLION USD ONLY REPLY FOR MO

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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)
- "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)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. James Mark" <web332980@yahoo.com.sg>
Reply-To: mckoffi@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 17:27:39 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: INVITATION FOR JOINT PARTNERSHIP INVOLVING 20.810 MILLION USD ONLY REPLY FOR MORE DETAILS

Dear Friend,

I am Mr. James Mark, the financial manager Audit &
Accounts depts. One of the leading
commercial banks here in my country. I am writing to request your assistance to
transfer the sum of $20.8 Million United States dollars into your accounts. The above
sum belongs to our deceased customer who died along with his entire family in
plane crash in the year 2000 and since then the fund has been dormant account.

After my further investigation, I discovered that he died
with his next of kin and according to the rules of the banking institution
stated that after the expiration of eight years, if no body or person comes for
the claim as the next of kin, the fund will be channeled into national treasury
as unclaimed fund. Because of the urgency of this transaction I want you to
stand as the next of kin so that our bank will accord you the recognition and
have the fund transfer to your account.

The total sum will be shared as follows: 60% for me, 35% for you and 5% for all
the expenses that would be incurred during the cause of the transfer which will
be shared by both of us when the funds are into your account. The transfer is
risk free on both sides hence you are going to follow my instruction till the
fund transfer to your account.

More detailed information with the text of application form
will be forwarded to you as soon as i receive a response from you.

Kindly supply the following details:

Your Full Name. Your Sex...

Your Age....Passport /driving license...

Your Occupation........

Your Personal Mobile Number...

Your Personal Fax Number....

Sincerely Yours,

Mr. James Mark.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam