419 scam: "Mr.Frank Oputa" <zm227menco@testzimbra.com> NOTE

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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 message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22993134867 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- cosmos_oya3@yahoo.com.hk

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Frank Oputa" <zm227menco@testzimbra.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:12:32 -0800 (PST)
Subject: NOTE

Dear belove friend,

This is to inform you about my success in getting
that fund now, I want you to contact my secretary on the information bellow.

Name of my secretary Mr.Cosmcs Oya
Tele phone +229-9313-4867

EMAIL;( cosmos_oya3@yahoo.com.hk )

Ask him to send you the total sum of $950,000.00 dollars in A CASHIER'S
CHEQUE, which I kept for your compensation. CONTACT MY SECRETARY now for
your money.

Regards,
Mr.Frank Oputa.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam