419 scam: "Mr. Mike Peters" <mikepeters@sylvamarketers.com> Attn: Beneficiary

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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:
- "bank charges " (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. )
- "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)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- mikepetersuk@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Mike Peters" <mikepeters@sylvamarketers.com>
Reply-To: mr.mikepetersuk@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2017 10:29:03 -0500
Subject: Attn: Beneficiary

Attn: Beneficiary
This is to draw your attention that your fund 12.5 Million dollars is
now ready for payment but we have dictated lots of irregularities
regarding your payment file, please do urgently respond to these
questions for clarity.
(1) Did you at any time delegate any body to claim your fund on your
behalf?
(2) Were you involved in a motor accident?.
(3) Are you aware or related to one Mr.Thomas Baker from your country?.
Please re-confirm and answer the above questions because one Mr.Thomas
Baker came to our bank and submitted an application that you have
authorized your fund to be paid into the account of BNP Bank of
Switzerland with Account number 007179095124
He said that the earlier submitted bank account information for your
payment will not be further used as you are now paralyzed in the
hospital as a result of the ghastly motor accident you had months ago.
After processing the application, Mr.Thomas Baker himself made it known
to us that he has your authorization, he was anxious and ready to clear
all outstanding bank charges that you are supposed to pay so as to make
sure we effect this transfer payment as quickly as possible without any
further delay.
All duplicate copies of his application letter and documents are
attached to your files, in view of this we have decided to make this
contact and verification to find out the true position of Mr. Baker's
representation.
The delay in the transfer is from us because we requested for a power of
attorney from him which is an authorization from you, this will enable
him act on your behalf as regards to the pursuant of this payment, he
asked for a week to submit the documents but up till now we are yet
receive any of the documents from any of you.
You are requested to acknowledge to our bank your readiness to receive
your fund and forward to us a legal authorization (power of attorney)
for the final payment instruction to credit your nominated bank account
without further delay.EMAIL:mikepetersuk@yahoo.com

Respectfully,
Mr.Mike Peters
EMAIL: mikepetersuk@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

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