419 scam: Mr Sam Bruce <sam_bruce@mail.ru> Attn: Our Esteem Customer,

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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:
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Sam Bruce <sam_bruce@mail.ru>
Reply-To: Mr Sam Bruce <benardwilliamsi@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 21 May 2015 01:56:30 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attn: Our Esteem Customer,

Attn: Our Esteem Customer,

We have concluded to effect your payment of $2.5Million, through Money Gram money transfer office,
but the maximum amount you will be receiving each day is $5,000.00 daily until the funds is completely transferred.

Kindly Contact get back to us and,Director Mr Bernard Williams will need your full details to transfer $5,000.00 in your name today so reply with your
information's as below ,

Your Full Name
Delivery address
your phone no#
Scan Copy of your Id

then to enable him transfer your Funds and give you the Referrence No#, sender name and question/answer to pick the $5,000.00 also to continue sending rest of your payment till your total payment of $2.5Million is complete.

Thank you.
Mr Sam Bruce

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam