419 scam: "Steve Anderson"<steveanderson4057@gmail.com> Important Message

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found 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.
- +447937141884
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.
- steve.anderson.jnr@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Steve Anderson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Steve.anderson.jnr@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 22:59:15 +0100
Subject: Important Message

Dear Friend,
My name is Stephen Anderson and I am contacting you, concerning an investment placed under our banks management a while ago. In January 1997, a client came to our bank to engage in business discussions with our private banking division. He informed us that he had a financial portfolio of a sizeable amount, which he wished to have us turn over on his behalf. Based on my advice, we spun the money around various opportunities and made attractive margins in a few months.
In early 1999, he asked that the portfolio be liquidated because he needed to make an urgent investment requiring cash payments in Europe. He directed that I liquidate his account which now stood at $17.1M (Seventeen Point One Million USD) and have it deposited with a United Kingdom security firm. I informed him that we would have to make special arrangements to have this done and in order not to circumvent due process, the bank would have to make a deduction from the funds to cater for banking and statutory charges. A cash movement across borders was quite achievable prior to 9/11. I processed the paperwork and had the funds deposited at a United Kingdom based security consultancy firm that I rather not disclose for now. In June last year, I got a call from the firm informing me about the inactivity of that portfolio. On inquiry we discovered that he died of a heart attack in Cannes South of France. If you are familiar with private banking affairs, those who patronize our services usually prefer anonymity a
I have the deposit details and the proof of deposit. I alone know of the existence of this deposit because as far as my employers are concerned, the transaction with the client was concluded when I sent the funds to the firm. My offer; since you share similar details with the late client, I am prepared to release the certificate of claim and introduce you to the firm as the closest surviving relation. Upon receipt of the deposit, I am prepared to share the money with you. We can fine-tune this based on our interactions. I am aware of the consequences of this proposal. If my offer does not appeal to you, discard this message and you will hear no more from me. Your confidentiality is all I seek. If you find yourself able to work with me, contact me urgently: Tel: +447937141884, or email steve.anderson.jnr@gmail.com
Thank you and best regards.

Stephen Anderson

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam