419 scam: Hm Treasury <info@hmtreasurydept.vipsmtp.in> LONDON SW1A 2HQ

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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)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "offshore 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 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.
- 447564694302

Fraud email example:

From: Hm Treasury <info@hmtreasurydept.vipsmtp.in>
Reply-To: chancellorofexchequer@hmttreasury.org.uk
Date: Tue, 29 May 2012 05:41:12 +0800
Subject: LONDON SW1A 2HQ

HM Treasury
Horse Guards Road
LONDON SW1A 2HQ
Tel: 020 7564 694 302
Int: 447 564 694 302
Fax: 447 (0)844 7743 824

Dear Friend,
I have a proposal for you.this however is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you to honor against your will, but I hope you will read on and consider the value I offer. I am Rt Hon George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, HM Treasury.

I have a business proposal in the tune of US$5.9M (Five Million, Nine Hundred thousand United States Dollars Only) to be transferred to an offshore account with your assistance if willing. This amount US$5.9M represents the balance of the total contract Value, Executed on behalf of HM Treasury by a foreign contracting firm,
which we the officials over-invoiced deliberately, of which the actual sum has been paid. Should you be willing to assist us in the transaction? Your share of the sum will be 25% of $5.9 Million, 70% for us and 5% for taxation and miscellaneous expenses.

I therefore reckoned that you can receive these funds as you are qualified by your name identity All the legal papers that will be used to process the payment will be handled by me, in your acceptance to co-operate with me on this deal.

kindly forward to me your letter of acceptance; your current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable me file in necessary documents Contact me through my alternative e-mail address: chancellorofexchequer@hmttreasury.org.uk
Hm Treasury,
Office of Chancellor of the Exchequer

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam