419 scam: "Mr. Ben Smith" <karina@sofima.cn> Read With Understanding

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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "chief auditor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Ben Smith" <karina@sofima.cn>
Reply-To: <sben504@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 3 May 2013 16:13:26 +0200
Subject: Read With Understanding

Attn Beneficiary,

PLEASE GO THROUGH THIS WEBSITE BEFORE READING THIS MAIL.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
I feel quite safe dealing with you in this confidential transaction. I came across your email address on the internet. Though, this medium (Internet)has been greatly abused by all sorts of dubious persons, but I chose to reach you through internet because it still remains the fastest, surest and most secured medium of communication at the moment.

My Name is Ben Smith, Chief Auditor Audit Department of Lloydsank London-UK, former account officer to Mr. Andreas Schranner, 64, A Rich German property investor, died on the 31st of July 2000 with his wife, Maria, 62, and their Children in Air France concord plane {No AF 4590} crash bound for New York United State of America) After our Auditors meeting last week i discover the dormant account, I now seek your permission and support to have you stand in as a next of kin to the Late deceased, as all documentations will be carefully worked out by me for the release of these funds, all amounting to the tune of ($13.5,000,000.00).Thirteen Million Five hundred thousand dollars). Only to any nominated account of your choice.

I will give you more information as soon as you indicate your willingness to assist me in this transaction. I will use my position in the bank to get all internal documentations to back up the claims. The whole Procedure will last for 10 bank working days to get the funds successfully paid to you Without any trace even in future from the day I receive your personal details. After the successful conclusion of this transaction, we shall share the funds 50% to you while 40% to me and 10% will be set for charity home organization and UNICEF during the transfer process. PLEASE RESPOND IMMEDIATELY YOU RECEIVE THIS MAIL.

Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Ben Smith.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam