419 scam: "Mr. Trang Marcelo."<funds@usapayment.com>

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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:
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
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.
- trantrieutuong@vnn.vn (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Trang Marcelo." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <trantrieutuong@vnn.vn>
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2015 10:58:51 -0700
Subject: - Your Payment Notification-

Dear Sir / Ma,

In compliance with the promises we made to the Global Financial Integrity (GFI), Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC), OPEC member nations and U.N International

Financial Investigation Unit (IFIU) concerning the current issue bordering the entire world as regards to the settlement of all outstanding international payments owed to

genuine beneficiaries. Adequate arrangement has been put in place for the settlement of your overdue payment through the newly approved payment center in the United States.

We have sent series of mails to you with no response from you. What is happening? If you are still interested in receiving your fund, quickly get back to me with your details.

That is: Full Name: Age: Occupation: Nationality: Address: Marital Status: Cell phone, also indicate on how you want us to make the payment to you from our approved options:

either via Visa / MasterCard ATM Card, Certified Bank Draft or Bank to Bank Transfer.

Thanks and be guided accordingly.

Cordially,

Mr. Trang Marcelo.
US Sec Com Payment Officer, U.S.A.
E-mail: trantrieutuong@vnn.vn

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam