419 scam: "ethelcoy"<helpdesk@btconnect.com> Dear Friend

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
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.
- ethelcoyppt@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "ethelcoy" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ethelcoypvt1@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:01:34 -0700
Subject: Dear Friend

Dear Friend,

Please read this slowly and carefully, as it may be one of the most important emails you ever get.
I am Mrs. Ethel Coy from Greece . I was married to Late Mike Coy. The Director of Vikhroli Link.Ltd,a
seasoned contractor in West African Region. He died on Monday, 31 July 2003 in Paris.

We were married for seven years without a child. After his death I decided not to re-marry or get a
child outside my matrimonial home.When my late husband was alive, he has over the sum of $5.2 Million
USD in banks and security companies in Europe, which is yet unclaimed.My Doctor told me that I would not
last long due to cancer problem that befalled me. Having known my condition I decided to donate this funds
to better the lives of the less privileged. I need honest and trust worthy individual that will utilize this money
in accordance with my instruction.

I want the funds to be used in funding religious organizations, orphanages and less privileged propagating
the word of God. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my
husband relatives are very unkind to me and I don't want my husbands hard earned money to be misused.

I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the
Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my course and I shall hold my peace. As soon as
I receive your reply Ishall give you the contact of the Bank, and my attorney also with a copy of the WILL.

For legitimacy, he will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the original-beneficiary
of this fund. I want you to always pray for me,any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for
another individual for this same purpose. If you ere not interested,kindly pardon me for contacting you.

If you know you can do this, contact me via my private Email box:

(ethelcoyppt@yahoo.com.hk)

so that I can furnish you with more details but if my offer is of no appeal to you, delete this message and
forget I ever contacted you.

I await your reply,

Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Ethel Coy.
Email:ethelcoyppt@yahoo.com.hk

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam