419 scam: Cecil Edwards <ceciledwards@sbcglobal.net> 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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Cecil Edwards <ceciledwards@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 03:23:03 -0800 (PST)
Subject: DEAR FRIEND,

DEAR FRIEND,

I HOPE ALL IS WELL TOGETHER WITH YOUR FAMILY,IF SO GLORY BE TO GOD ALMIGHTY.

I'M HAPPY TO INFORM YOU ABOUT MY SUCCESS IN GETTING THOSE FUNDS TRANSFERED WITH THE COOPERATION OF A NEW PARTNER FROM NETHERLAND.
WE WERE PAID FROM ECOBANK BENIN,COTONOU BENIN PUBLIC.PRESENTLY
I'M IN ETHERLAND FOR INVESTMENT PROJECTS WITH MY OWN SHARE OF THE TOTAL SUM.MEANWHILE,I DIDN'T FORGET YOUR PAST EFFORTS AND ATTEMPTS TO ASSIST ME IN TRANSFERRING THIS FUNDS DESPITE WE COULD NOT CONCLUDE IT.

I HAVE DECIDED TO COMPENSATE YOU.CONTACT MY ACCOUNT OFFICER IN ECOBANK BENIN,HIS NAME IS bar UDO COLLINS.

ON HIS E-MAIL ADDRESS(udo_c@live.com) I HAVE RAISED A CERTIFIECD BANK CHEQUE IN YOUR NAME TO THE TUNE OF $2.500.000.00 UNITED STATES DOLLARS FOR YOU.FEEL FREE AND GET IN TOUCHED WITH MY
UDO COLLINS: UNT OFFICE bar UDO COLLINS.

AND INSTRUCT HIM ON WHERE TO SEND THE CHEQUE TO YOU AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE AS I HAVE DONE ENOUGH BY ALLOCATING SUCH AMOUNT TO YOU.RIGHT NOW,

I AM VERY BUSY HERE BECAUSE OF THE INVESTMENT ROJECTS WHICH I AND THE NEW PARTNER ARE HANDLING, SO EEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH bar UDO COLLINS. HE WILL INFORM ME IMMEDEATELY HE HAS OBLIDGED YOU THE FUND.BELOW IS THE INFORMATION NEEDED:

FULLNAME------------
ADDRESS---------------
MOBILE PHONE----------
OCCUPATION-----------
AGE-----------------
ID------------------
BEST REGARDS,
MR.barry tony

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam