419 scam: Mr Edward Will <edward_will8@yahoo.com.hk> Urgent Attention,

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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:
- "consignment " (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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +22998908173 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Edward Will <edward_will8@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: unitednations01@w.cn
Date: Wed, 05 May 2010 22:40:24 +0300
Subject: Urgent Attention,

--
UNITED NATION AFRICAN HEAD QUARTERS.
DEBT MANAGEMENT OFFICE
NO.5/8 TOKPA STATE BUILDING
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC.
TEL: +229-98-90-81-73
EMAIL:unitednations01@w.cn
Our Ref: WB/NF/UN/XX027
Urgent Attention,

Due to the petitions received by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
from all over the continent in regards to the fraudulent activities going
on in the West Africa sub-region with security's agent and diplomats who
has been delaying people's funds, consignment and valuables in their
custody and demand out-outrageous fees to get their consignment released to
them.

However,( Mr.Ban Ki-moon ) who is the UNITED NATION Secretary-General came
to the African head quarters in COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC on the 15TH JULY
2007 and set up this committee with sole aim of settling all these
anomalies and due to that we are contacting you today regards to your
consignment box we discovered, The UNRC West Africa zone has its Annex
office in COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC and I Dr Barry Favour was duly appointed
chairman to oversee the delivery/handing over of consignment to its
owners.

It has come to our knowledge just this morning when we took the security
companies and diplomat in COTONOU (BENIN REPUBLIC),LAGOS (NIGERIA) AND
ACCRA (GHANA) INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT and recovered consignments which one is
bearing your name and contacts of your full information with which we are
reaching you. Nevertheless reconfirm your name, address and correct phone
number to us.

Note: that so far so good we have satisfied sixteen of our clients, six of
them in the United States, Three in Australia, Two in France, One in India
and One in Fiji and Three in Switzerland. We will only deliver to you on
UNRC conditions as follows: (1) 5% to Charity home of your choice which the
UNRC will be signatory to (2) 5% to Tsunami Victims (3) 5% to United
Nations which will be paid to UN HEADQUARTER in NEW-YORK .

Be informed that we will only accept your response by telephone or through
this new email (unitednations01@w.cn) , Any further delay will be the
pleasure of the UNRC to use your fund to help the people who have been
displaced in Darfur, Sudan Africa which you can see it in this site
www.savedarfur.org and the Tsunami's victims in Asia..

We are working according to the constitution binding this committee as well
as helping the less privilege through this means. You will be required to
reach us via telephone or email (unitednations01@w.cn)
Waiting to hear from you ASAP.
Best Regards,
Mr Edward Will.
Chairman (UNRC).

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam