419 scam: "Mrs .Linda J COLE" <dr.misscalelidan@gmail.com> ATTENTION, DEAR

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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)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (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. )
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
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.
- davidanthony852@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs .Linda J COLE" <dr.misscalelidan@gmail.com>
Reply-To: davidanthony852@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2012 09:07:56 -0400
Subject: ATTENTION, DEAR

Dear friend,

You might find it so difficult to remember me. Though, it is indeed, a
very long time.
On my singular, I am much delighted and privileged to contact you again
after some couple of months gone. It takes fate, courage and God's fearing
to remember old friends and at the same time, to show gratification to
them, despite circumstances that made things, not worked out as we projected
then. I take this liberty to inform you that, the transaction we were
pursing together (US$25.5Million), finally worked out by God's infinite
mercy and I
decided to contact you, just to let you know. I have conscience as a human
being, due to your tremendous effort and contribution to make things work out
in retrospect.

Meanwhile, I must inform you that, I am presently in Luxemburg for
numerous business negotiations and establishment. I just arrived yesterday
night and
checked in, in a hotel and decided to go down to the hotel business centre
to mail you. Now, with my sincere heart, I have raised and signed an
International Cashier's Bank Draft, to the tune of USD$1,200,000 (One
Million,Two Thousand US Dollars) only, in your name as compensation to
your dedication, humanity and contribution, as it were.

Currently, there is a secretary of mine who is using my house in my
country for his vacation with his family. Please contact him now and he
will have the
cheque sent to you as I have directed him. He is in the name of:

Mr David Anthony,
BP 06, Route De Eglise
Cotonou, Republic Of Benin.

Email: mr.Anthony (davidanthony852@yahoo.fr)

your Name:
Address:
Telephone:
ID cARD:

I told him everything about this payment. At the moment, I'm very busy
here because of the investment projects which I and my new partner are
having at
hand in Luxembourg. Finally, remember that I have forwarded instruction to
the secretary on your behalf to send the bank cheque to you as soon as you
contact
him without delay. Please I will like you to accept this token with good
faith as this is from the bottom of my heart. Thanks and God bless you and
your family.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Yours

Dr. Linda

Anti-fraud resources:

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