419 scam: "STRUCTURE ENGINEERING, INC"<structure@engineer.com> CONFIDENTIAL; Contact My Secretary.

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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)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
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.
- se.inc.r.joshua@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "STRUCTURE ENGINEERING, INC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <se.inc.r.joshua@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 15:28:43 -0700
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL; Contact My Secretary.

STRUCTURE ENGINEERING, INC
1008 W. Ahtanum, Suite 1
Union Gap, Washington DC
Fax (509) 248-7000

Dear Friend,

I pray this message meets you in a good state of mind. I am Rev. Michael W. Harrison, a native of USA from Hawaii. I am the CEO, Structure Engineering Inc. I have been in the building design and construction industry for the past 10 years which I have been so lucky to win and execute many contracts both locally and internationally. I got involved in a contract in Australia sometimes ago and after successfully executing this contract, my payment was refused, I was not paid. I was down and almost lost hope.

Two years after this contract, I prayed to God for the release of my contract payment. I also made a vow to GOD to give and benefit someone with the sum of Five Hundred Thousand United States (USD $500,000.00) if my payment could be approved. To my surprise, I was called upon by the Australian Government last month that my contract file has been looked into and it has finally been approved for payment. At first I was skepitcal until I was advised by my Pastor and later moved down to Australia and to my surprise I was paid this money.

As a strong believer of God and who strongly believes in pledges and vows, I never forgot my pledge to give out the sum of USD $500,000.00 to somebody. With the help of some Computer Engineering associates, I did email ballot to get the beneficiary of this money and luckily for you, your email address was chosen which automatically makes you the winner and beneficiary of my pledge which is Five Hundred Thousand United States (USD$500,000.00).

I want to use this medium to congratulate you and I will like you to contact my secetary, Mr. Idris Cheriton on how to receive your money ($500,000.00) as I am still presently in South Africa and will be very busy. I have given him instructions on how to get your fund to you so please contact him immediately with your details: NAME, ADDRESS AND CONTACT NUMBER, If possible any copy of your ID for verification.

CONTACT OF MY SECRETARY AS BELOW:

Name: Mr. Joshua Richardon
Contact Number: (202) 505-4524
Email: se.inc.r.joshua@gmail.com

You can give him a call to confirm this. Friend, I want you to believe that this is the opportunity God is giving you and a BIG miracle to your LIFE so please don't miss this. For your information, I am presently executing another contract in Australia. Please I need your prayer for the success of this one and also looking forward to meet you when I get back to the States. Thank you and GOD BLESS YOU!!!

Best Regard,
Rev. Michael W. Harrison
Structure Engineering Inc

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam