419 scam: "Mr.Eric M. Thorson" <info@virginm.net> U.S. Department Of The Treasury

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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:
- "security keeping fee" (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)
- "diamondexponline@groupmail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Eric M. Thorson" <info@virginm.net>
Reply-To: <ericthompsononline@yeah.net>
Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2018 23:31:11 -0300
Subject: U.S. Department Of The Treasury

U.S. Department Of The Treasury
Address: 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20220 USA.

NOTE: If you received this message in your SPAM/JUNK folder, that is because of the restrictions implemented by your Internet Service Provider,we urge you to treat it genuinely......

I have registered your ATM CARD of ($2.5MILLION DOLLARS) with DIAMOND EXPRESS COURIER customer service with registration code of (9665776) please Contact with your delivery information:

1. Your Full Name................
2. Your Telephone No..........
3. Your Country................
4. Your Home Address........

ROYAL EXPRESS LOGISTICS

Name: MR. David Reetz
E-mail: diamondexponline@groupmail.com

We have paid for the Insurance & Delivery fee. The only fee you have to pay is their Security Keeping fee of 250$ only. Please indicates the registration Number of (9665776) Furnish them with your Address and Phone number for your delivery.

Best Regards
BEWARE - We will NEVER tell you of changes to our bank details nor will we accept changes to bank details by e-mail. If in doubt, telephone us about any messages which look suspicious.
The names Nowell Meller Solicitors and The Mediation Centre are trading names of Nowell Meller Solicitors Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales (Reg No 5536577) whose Registered Office is at 7 & 8 St Mary's Grove, Stafford, Staffordshire. ST16 2AT. Directors: SP Kirwan, JA Matthewman, D. Hackney. The Company is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
No employee or agent is authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the company or any client of the company with another party by email without express written confirmation by a Director.
The contents of this e-mail (including any attachments) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of its contents is strictly prohibited, and you should please notify the sender immediately and then delete it (including any attachments) from your system.
Notice: the company does not accept service by e-mail of court proceedings, other processes or formal notices of any kind without specific prior written agreement.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam