419 scam: "Mr. Jeffery S. Smith"<admin@msn.com> Dear Sir/ MA

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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:
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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.
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.
- t_cu16@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Jeffery S. Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jeffsmith000100@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 14 May 2022 12:17:46 +0200
Subject: Dear Sir/ MA

Executive Director Amazon
International Settlement Dept.
Washington, DC 20528, USA

Dear Sir/ MA

There is an issue with the AMAZON comany in the amount of $10.500,000.00
directed in cash credited to file KTU/ 9023118308/03, at the owner of this
email address. The INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND contacted us for your
compensation a couple of hours ago due to your allocated security code.

We are unable to complete a transfer directed at an email address, so we
require some more information in order to complete this transfer.

In order to effect this payment, please call our offices at +1(812) 636
1060 or at this email via Amazon Solicitors Fund Verification Department:
t_cu16@aol.com

As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to you
over the counter or wired to your nominated bank account directly from The
Amazon Transferring Bank, please use reference number 250-153 for our
mutual convenience.

The Management Of Amazon International Settlement Dept.

Thanks
Payment Department
Executive Director Amazon
International Settlement Dept.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam