419 scam: "Dr MELISSA COLE" <melissa.cole@comcast.net> COMPENSATION

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "mikecarrickk33@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr MELISSA COLE" <melissa.cole@comcast.net>
Reply-To: mikecarrickk33@live.com
Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 21:17:23 +0100
Subject: COMPENSATION

Dear Friend,

Good day to you and your family.I am happy to inform you about my success in
getting those funds transferred under the co-operation of a new partner from
Belgium. Presently I am in Belgium for investment projects with my own share of the
total sum. Mean while, I did not forget your past efforts and attempts you made in
getting your winnings sent to your delivery address, despite that it failed us some
how Now contact my secretary in LAGOS his name is (Mr MIKE CARRICK),Find below his
contact information.Name:Mr MIKE CARRICK)
E-mail: mikecarrickk33@live.com

Ask him to send you the total $550,000.00 (FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND US
DOLLARS) certified bank Check, which I raised in your favor for your compensation
for all the past efforts you have made in receiving your winnings in this matter. I
appreciated your efforts at that time very much.

So feel free and get in touched with my secretary and give him your address
where to send the check to you.Please do let me know immediately you receive the
Check to enable us share the joy after all the sufferings at that time. In the
moment,I am very busy here because of the investment projects,which the new partner
and me are having at hand,finally,remember that I have forwarded instruction to the
secretary on your behalf to receive that money. So feel free to get in touch with
him(Mr MIKE CARRICK) without any delay.

Best regards,

Dr MELISSA COLE

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam