419 scam: <> THANKS

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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:
- "million dollars" (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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
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.
- madamnouranabdul@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: <>
Reply-To: madamnouranabdul@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 05 May 2016 08:32:05 +0530
Subject: THANKS

Dear Sir / Madam,

Peace be upon you, My name is Madam Nouran Abdul Haliem Hassan, from Aleppo Syria.my late husband was a business Man and worked under cover for the Government, when the fight Started the government accused him of supporting the rebels and the Government killed him, they came after my life and my 2 kids but i was rescued through the help of United Nation safely to United State of American(US),now where i live with my children. The only money of my late husband That i Could run with is $ 7.5 million dollars which i registered with a security company,i left Syria.Now i live in the camp here in USA i and my children and we seek for Political asylum to United State Government. I need a good honest and God fearing person to help me receive this money in his country and invest the money to buy house and property for i and my children and we can move to live in your country and settle there. Please i will be waiting to your response; i am going to hold to your contact via email. I need a serious man and a God fearing man who we both will live life together and plan together.Please also tell me about yourself and the country where you are from,i will give you 25% for helping me to receive the money and also 20% of the property.

Await your urgent response.
Good-luck
Email:madamnouranabdul@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam