419 scam: Hall Mike <linrooney@eircom.net> DEAR SIR/MADAM

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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Hall Mike <linrooney@eircom.net>
Reply-To: Hall Mike <evansjohnny560@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2020 07:50:11 +0100 (IST)
Subject: DEAR SIR/MADAM

--
My name is Howard G. Buffett, a philanthropist, CEO and chairman
Howard G. Buffett Foundation Charitable Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in world. I strongly believe in giving when I lived. I never had an idea
changed in my mind - that you would use your wealth to help people and I have decided
to give you the total sum of $ 5,500,000} Five million five hundred thousand united dollars, at random individuals all over the world. On receipt of this e-mail, you should count yourself as one of the lucky individuals.

I hope this email finds you healthy and safe. As We continues to weather this unprecedented storm, I want to thank everyone who has been practicing social distancing in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Even though our lives have been drastically upended for months now, we are still in a vulnerable period with this pandemic.

I believe strongly in 'living' while living. I have decided to donate this amount through our Sunshine Lady Humanitarian Grants Program to give you sum of 5,500,000 (Five Million Five hundred thousand United States Dollars,
to randomly selected individuals in states. You will be contacting Mr. Dominic Briggs directly by replying to this email

However, you should send him your Full Name/Telephone Number/your
Residential Address/Gender and Occupation. He is obliged to give you a call and treat your case with utmost urgency as soon as you contact him today.

Contact my payout bank today and Thank you for accepting this offer, I am indeed grateful. I anticipate your earliest response.

Good luck and kind regard, Making the world a better place!

Regards,
Howard G. Buffett.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam