419 scam: "Mr. Chris Innocent" <elane@sunsetchart.com> My Interest

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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. )
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Chris Innocent" <elane@sunsetchart.com>
Reply-To: info.desk2yk2015@gmx.com
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2023 00:23:41 -0700
Subject: My Interest

Dearest,

I sent a mail to you before, but did not hear from you, however I want you to know that it is very much important that you reply to this mail and cooperate with me so that your accrued interest amount of USD3,330,000 will be paid to you. It is because of the respect I have for you that made me contact you again just to assist you to receive your ATM Card because of what you have gone through in the past. Please be informed that I am not promising to pay your full inheritance/contract fund which the corrupt officials have colonized but rather I want to pay you only the accumulated interest which I know it's very possible to pay to you through ATM Card. I am contacting you in order to pay this accumulated interest amount to you. This is your chance and opportunity so there is no point delaying or wasting time.

I am an honorable and sincere man and my words are more than a written guarantee you can ever think of. I don't believe in protocols. I am given you my words of honor as a guarantee that I will load the ATM Card with your accumulated interest amount of USD3,330,000 and have it delivered to you by EMS Speed post as soon as you confirm your readiness to pay the courier fee in other to receive your ATM Card through EMS Speed Post Courier. EMS Speed Post simply means Express Mail Services Speed Post and it is a Federal Government owned Courier Services Company that is very well secured and efficient. Note that I have a part to play in this transaction, therefore be informed that I have paid for the ATM Card processing and bank charges so it is fair you take care of the courier cost.

You will have nothing to worry about as your ATM Card WILL NOT be stopped by any Customs, Police or Immigration at your Airport. EMS Speed Post is a Federal Government Embassy Courier Service Company. Please I am a very busy man and I would like to have this ATM Card dispatched to you as quickly as possible hence l will not be available to exchange emails with you at all times.

So if you are interested in receiving this accumulated interest loaded in an ATM Card and dispatched to you, then contact me immediately with your address and telephone number. I really want to assist you and I want you to forget about your past experience and what you have gone through in the past and focus on this accumulated interest amount and I assure you that you MUST receive your ATM Card.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Chris Innocent
Internet/Computer Banking Department
Central Bank of Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam