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.
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:
"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.
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.
hollyprophetschurch@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: HOLY PROPHET CHURCH <mrsagnespeter@cantv.net> Reply-To: hollyprophetschurch@gmail.com Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2012 09:09:41 -0430 (VET) Subject: Re: VERY IMPORTANT
Dearest Friend in the Lord,
Maybe you have heard of us? This is our website http://hollyprophetchurch.webs.com
I am Branch Leader and youth adviser to (Late Philanthropist Reverend Paul Lawrence) who slept in the Lord on June 24th 2012 and after his death,we saw your contact from the file of our Late Philanthropist Reverend Paul Lawrence and we decide to write you because he want to donate fund for you to use it for Almighty God in your country before he died and you have nothing to lose than to receive your cheque fund and used it for Almighty God work because what is the benefit of a man that gain the whole world and lose the kingdom of God?
Please as you read this message go ahead and get back to Holy Prophet Church so that we can be able to press further with you on how to receive the fund as soon as possible and we advise you to re-forward your full information below to enable us to cross check it again.
1.Your Full name
2.Your Full Home Address and your Country
3.Your Phone Number
4.Your Occupation
5.Your Age
6.Your Identification E.G International Passport Page or Driving License
Kindly forward your reply to hollyprophetschurch@gmail.com in other to re-confirm it again for further action to take place.
Yours in Christ, Rev. Simon Terry Holy Prophet Church http://hollyprophetchurch.webs.com
