419 scam: INFO@mail.com We need your assistance.

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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 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.
- ahmraj@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: INFO@mail.com
Reply-To: ahmraj@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:56:37 +0530
Subject: We need your assistance.

Dear friend,

My name is Ahmed Rajiha, son of the late Daoud Rajiha former defense minister of Syria, presently am in the refugee camp with my little sister, Our parent died as a result of chemical weapon attack,bomb-blast in Syria, i and my little sister were the only surviver of the family.

We kindly need your assistance and infuence as a citizen, to transfer our family inheritance ($14,200.000 Million USD) to your account to enable us come over to your country and start a new life, as it is well known to the entire world that Syria is no longer safe due to the long term crisis leading to human destruction in various means.
I and my sister will offer you 30% of the money as appreciation and if our request is granted.

kindly reply me back to (ahmraj@hotmail.com) if you are ready to assist, to enable me to know the next thing to do.
Please also tell me about your self, hoping to hear from you soon.

Best Regards
Ahmed.R

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam