419 scam: "ATTN: Sir /Madam"<jamesedwardandyou@qq.com> ATTN: Sir /Madam 1

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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:
- "will come to you as a surprise" (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.
- +23417774535 (Nigeria, landline)

Fraud email example:

From: "ATTN: Sir /Madam" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jamesedward33444@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 06:34:02 -0700
Subject: ATTN: Sir /Madam 1

MR JAMES EDWARD
Tel : 234-1-7774535
ATTN: Sir /Madam

I know this will come to you as a surprise but never mind, I got your Contact in my search for a reputable and trust worthy person/Company,Who can stand confidently with me in this successful business Arrangement. Before I proceed, I will like to introduce my humble self To you.

we want to transfer to overseas (US$52,000.000.00 USD) fifty two million Unite States Dollars) from the Oil Company's operating Bank account here in Africa, I want you to quietly Look for a reliable and honest person who will be capable and fit to Provide either an existing bank account or to set up a new Bank A/C Immediately to receive this money,

I am revealing this to you with believe in God that you will never let Me down in this business, you are the first and the only person that I Am contacting for this business, so please reply urgently and indicate Your sincere interest, so that I can inform you on the modalities Already mapped out for the hitch-free transfer of the money out of Africa here.I will require your direct phone and fax number for easy contacting you I need your full co-operation to make this work adequately. Upon your Positive response and once I am convinced that you are capable and Willing to meet up with the instructions of the top bank official that is deeply involved with me in this business, I shall commence actions Immediately to process the payment of the money in your favor as the Beneficiary With my influence and the position of the bank official we can transfer This money to any reliable foreign bank account, which you can provide.

I am looking forward in anticipation to hearing from you soon as Possible.
Yours truly,

MR JAMES EDWARD

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam