419 scam: "Mrs.Catherine Ann Yacobozzi" <bills@netelsys.com> MY BEQUEST

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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:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- edwardc.hayes@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Catherine Ann Yacobozzi" <bills@netelsys.com>
Reply-To: edwardhayesllp.advocates@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 19:03:00 -0500
Subject: MY BEQUEST

Good Day,

My name is Mrs. Catherine Ann Yacobozzi I am a dying woman
who have Decided to donate what I have to you/Organization. I
am 59 years old and I was diagnosed for cancer about 2 years
ago, immediately after the death of my husband, who had left
me everything he worked for. I have been touched by God to
Donate from what I have inherited from my late Husband to
you for the good work of God than allow my relatives to use
my husband hard earned funds ungodly. Please pray that the
good Lord forgive me my sins.

I have asked God to Forgive me and I believe he has because
He is a merciful God. I will be going in for an operation
Tomorrow morning I decided to WILL/donate the sum of
$3,500,000(Three million five hundred thousand dollars) to
You/Organization for the good work of the lord, and also to
Help the Motherless and less privilege and also for the
Assistance of the widows according to (JAMES 1:27).At the
Moment I cannot take any telephone calls right now due to
the fact that my relatives are around me and my Health status.
I have adjusted my WILL and my Executor is Aware I have changed my will,
you and him will arrange the Transfer of the funds from the
Private Finance Company to your humble self's wish you
all the best and may the good Lord bless you abundantly,
and please use the funds well and Always extend the good work to others.

Contact my Executor(Barrister Edward Hayes)
with this specified Email :(
edwardc.hayes@yahoo.com.hk ) with your full names
Contact telephone/fax number and your full address and tell him that
I have WILLED ($3,500,000.00) to you and I have also notified
him that I am WILL-IN that amount to you for a specific and
good work Thanks and God bless.

NB: I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this
matter until the task is accomplished as I don't want
anything that will jeopardize my last wish. And Also I will
be contacting with you by email as I don't want my
relation or anybody to know because they are always around
me.

Thanks for your assistance.
Mrs.Catherine Ann Yacobozzi

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam