419 scam: "Mr. Smith Ford" <smthf55@outlook.com> Attn: Potential Partner

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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:
- "hundred thousand great british pounds" (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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Smith Ford" <smthf55@outlook.com>
Reply-To: iblessthelord4ever@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 12:37:48 -0400
Subject: Attn: Potential Partner

Attn: Potential Partner

Coupled with my deep interest to invest in your country, I decided to
contact you and solicit your mutual assistance at all cost. I am Mr.
Smith Ford, Branch Manager of a financial institution.

In 31st October 1999, One Mr.Neal Walker, a consultant/contractor with
the Ministry of Mines and Power made a Fixed Deposit, valued at £6,500
000 00 GBP (Six million, five hundred thousand Great British pounds
sterling)we sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but
got no reply. After five year, we sent a reminder and finally we
discovered from his contract employers that Mr.Neal Walker died in an
air crash along with his wife on the 31st October 1999 in an Egyptian
airline 990 with other passengers on board was an American Oil
consultant/contractor with the Chinese Solid Minerals Corporation. You
can confirm his death from the website below which was published by
BBC WORLD NEWS.
WEBSITE.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/502503.stm.

I want to present you as the next of kin to Late Neal Walker so that
the money will be paid to you, you and I can share the money.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement
that will protect you from any breach of the law.

There is no risk involved as I will use my position as the Bank Branch
Manager to secure approvals and guarantee the successful execution of
this transaction and it will take us 14 working days. Please you must
observe utmost confidentiality if this proposal interest you, please
reply me immediately and include your private phone number for voice
contact and your banking information.

Awaiting your urgent reply.

regards.
Mr. Smith Ford

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam