419 scam: Paula Alcala-Rosner <paulaalcalarosner@yahoo.com> I'm in a huge mess and I need your help...

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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:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: Paula Alcala-Rosner <paulaalcalarosner@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: paulalcalarosner@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2010 02:18:38 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: I'm in a huge mess and I need your help...

I'm writing this with tears in my eyes,my family and I came down here
to Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom for a short vacation to visit a
resort and got mugged at gun point last night at the park close, close
to the hotel where we lodged.All cash,credit cards and cell got
stolen.I've been to the authorities here but they're not responding to
the matter effectively and the problem now is that, we're having
problems settling the hotel bills and our return ticket.

The hotel manager won't let us leave until we settle the hotel bills,
so I need your help in getting back home with my family.Wondering if
you could loan me some money (2,100Pounds) which is 3,150 US dollars,
for hotel bills and our return tickets. Now am freaked out, don't know
what to do.Please reply and let me know if you can have the money wired
to me as a loan through western union money transfer. Please use my
name and the address given below to send the money and I promise to pay
back as soon as I return.

The information you need to send the money:

Paula Alcala Rosner

Address: B216, Edinburgh Street Caravel Midlothian

Country: Scotland, United Kingdom

Note that I would really want you to use a western union outlet to send
the money so as to pick it up cos I don't want you to use the banking
process as it takes time before it will reflect here in united kingdom
so take note that money has to be sent through western union outlet or
shop and not bank

Please attach the payment slip via email or you can send me the
information you used to send the money including the MTCN control
Number.I will surely refund the money when i return.

Look forward to hearing from you,

Paula Alcala Rosner

Some people drink at the fountain of knowledge...and others just gargle!

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam