419 scam: "MR SMITH DOUGLAS" <smithdouglas@qq.com> Attn: OK

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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "MR SMITH DOUGLAS" <smithdouglas@qq.com>
Reply-To: smithdouglas011@yahoo.es
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 08:28:55 -0400
Subject: Attn: OK

Attn:,

I am Mr Smith Douglas,I work with one of the leading banks here in Nigeria
I got your email while searching for a business oriented personality. I
have worked with this bank for years and I am telling you that if I am not
sure that this transfer will work, I would not have thought of doing it. I
bring forth a business proposal in the tune of Ten Million Five Hundred
Thousand United State Dollars Only,($10,500,000.00) to be transferred to
your account with your assistance acting as beneficiary and next-of-kin to
the Inheritance funds.

This transfer will be done under the legitimate laws of my country. what I
want from you is your honesty. You will have to play a very important role
for us to actualize this transaction that is why I am proposing a 50:50
sharing ratio. All I want is for you to promise to be sincere all through.
After the transfer, you will help me open an account in your country where
you will lodge my own part of the money pending my arrival. This money is
held in a coded suspense account and I have all the access information
which I will give to you thereafter. When the money will be transferred,
it will be labeled as inheritance so there will not be any problem with
your government. The only risk I foresee here is if you reveal to any body
or refusing to work with me. Like I told you before, I have the instrument
in my possession to actualize this project, if only you can give me the
assistance and co-operation needed as well as respond to issues quickly.
This transaction is top secret.

If you know you are capable of involving in this transaction, please send
down the following details to me so that I will work on the account file
on your favor and thereafter forward you an application which you will
send to our bank officially. I really want us to treat everything
concerning this transaction with uttermost secrecy.

(1)Full names:........................ .....

(2)Occupation:................ ..............

(3)Age and Sex:..........................

(4)Marital Status:..........................

(5)Private phone and fax numbers:..................

(6)Current residential address/ Nationality:..............

I am waiting for your urgent reply so that we will starts immediately.
Sorry if you received this letter in your spam, Due to recent connection
error here in my country.

Regards,

MR SMITH DOUGLAS

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam