419 scam: Mrs Rosemary Ndu <ladybug11403@verizon.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.

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)
- "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)
- "certified bank draft" (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. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- davidwokomah012010@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Mrs Rosemary Ndu <ladybug11403@verizon.net>
Reply-To: rosemaryndu15@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2010 04:59:34 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Dear Friend

Dear Friend

Compliments of the day and God's blessings,

I am glad to inform you that I have successfully concluded the transaction, the money has been transferred to London.It is done through the assistant of Mr.Howard Ferraro who is a London base business man.Currently I am in London with him and children.

However, I did not forget you because you are the source of my success,you made me what I am now though you are not there to complete this project with me but I gave all the credit and thanks to you. I know it is not your fault or rather your wish to back up on me and the transaction.

In appreciate of your assistance I have mapped out as a compensation and wrote on your favor a certified bank draft worth of US$1.800,000.00..(One Million Eight Hundred Thousand, United States Dollar Only) I left the draft with my Secretary Mr David Wokomah on my departure to London.
I would like you therefore,to contact him on the below info so that he can mail it to you.

Attn: Mr David Wokomah
Email:davidwokomah012010@yahoo.com.hk

I would have love to call you from London where I currently reside but due to the recent terrorist attack Mr.Ferraro advice me not to call because all international calls are been monitored by the UK authority.Contact my secretary in Republic of Benin so that he can release your bank draft to you.

I will stop here. Once again, thank you very much and remain blessed.

Regards,

Mrs Rosemary Ndu

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam