419 scam: Edward Utom <edward_utom28@att.net> Edward Utom

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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:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Edward Utom <edward_utom28@att.net>
Reply-To: pkwesi1@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:00:57 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Edward Utom

Can I trust you?

Compliment of the day, I am Capt. Edward Utom, army officer working with UN for Terrorist and peace keeping. I am contacting you in good faith regarding the money I succeeded in moving out from Iraq peace keeping mission. This fund was discovered concealed in barrels with piles of weapons and ammunitions at a location situated close to Saddam Husseinâ€™s old palaces during our rescue operation.

I will disclose to you where and how to secure the money with the Finance & Security Company as soon as you indicate your interest, the money will be invested in any profitable business in your country, visit the webpage (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm) It will be my joy to share the fortune ($37.5M usd) Thirty Seven Million, Five Hundred thousand United States dollars) which was safely moved and deposited with Finance security company here in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. I need a capable trustee to handle the claims for me for investment in your country which will be 50/50% sharing. I want the fund to be retrieve this month to avoid it being confiscated by the Finance house and I will appreciate to have a communications with you via email as soon as possible, enable to send your mobile number , contact address, occupations and country of origin.

Best Regards

Edward Utom

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam