419 scam: STEVE GEORGE <jonny.petrie@virgin.net> MR.STEVE GEORGE

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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:
- ",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)
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: STEVE GEORGE <jonny.petrie@virgin.net>
Reply-To: stevgeorge03@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 23:13:26 -0800
Subject: MR.STEVE GEORGE

COMPENSATION
FUNDS PAYMENT ORDER VIA ATM CARD

This is to inform you that we
have been working towards the eradication of fraudsters and
scam Artists in Africa with the help of the Organization of
African Unity (OAU) United Nations (UN), European Union (EU)
and FBI.

We have been
able to track down some scam artist in various parts of
African countries which includes (Nigeria, Republic of
Benin, Ghana,Senegal,Cote Divoire and Burkina Faso. ) and they are
all in Government
custody now, they will appear at International Criminal
Court (ICC) soon for Justice.

During the course of
investigation, we were able to recovered some funds from
these scam artists and IMF organization have ordered the
funds recovered to be shared among the first Lucky people
for their compensation. This notice is
been directed to you because your email address was found in
one of the scam Artists file and computer hard-disk while
the investigation was going on, maybe you have been scammed. You are
therefore being compensated with sum of $2,500,000.00 ) Two million
five hundred thousand
dollars only.

Since your email
address is among the lucky beneficiaries who will receive a
compensation funds, we are arranging your payment to be paid
to you through ATM VISA CARD and deliver to your postal
address with the Pin Numbers as to enable you withdrawal
maximum of $7500 on each withdrawal from any Bank ATM
Machine of your choice, until all the funds are
exhausted.

The
ATM Card with Security Pin Numbers shall be delivered to you
using Express Mail Service (EMS) .

The package is coming from our Head Office at
Cotonou, Republic of Benin. don't forget to reconfirm
your following information.

1. Your Full Name:
2. Address Where
You want us to Send Your ATM Card
3. Cell/Mobile Number:

We advice you to stop all the
communications with everyone regarding your payment as we
have short listed to deliver to you and now urge you to
comply and receive your ATM Card funds.

Thanks for your understanding
as you follow instructions while I wait to hear from you
today

Yours in
Services

Mr.STEVE GEORGE.
MINISTERE DES FINANCES

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam