419 scam: "Mrs. Gift Smith" <giftkkk11@msn.com> Re

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "processing fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- ",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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348082163401 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mrsgillian33@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Gift Smith" <giftkkk11@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mrsgillian33@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:50:29 +0000
Subject: Re

Hello,

We wish to congratulate and inform you that after thorough review of all unclaimed funds, contract, inheritance or lottery funds, your payment file has finally been forwarded to us for review and immediate payment of your long delayed funds starting with a first compensation transfer of US$4,500,000.00 to your bank account in your country.

The Audit reports show that you have been going through hard times by paying a lot of money to dubious officials for the release of your funds.

We therefore advice that you stop further communication with any correspondence outside this office because the only fees you need to pay then receive your fund is $199 being payment for the cost of ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING FEES Which is not deductible from you fund, It's mandatory which you must pay first before your fund will reflect into your account.

Your US$4,500,000.00 will be credited to your bank account within 3 working days and transfer copies will be forwarded to you and your bankers for confirmation.

For the immediate payment of your US$4,500,000.00,kindly contact today by email, our Payment Coordinator in the Lagos Nigeria:

Name: Mrs. Gillian Mulhern
#3 W.hall Crt, Lagos Nigeria, Lagos Nigeria.
Tel: +2348082163401.
E-mail: mrsgillian33@yahoo.co.uk

All correspondences to Mrs. Gillian Mulhern, by email should have this Reference Number: (UNRC/25P/760) sent along with your Contact Address and Telephone number.

Mrs. Gift Smith
United Nations Compensation Commission Unit.
Palais des Nations, Av. de la Paix 8-14,
1211 Geneva 10,Switzerland.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam