419 scam: "Mr. Colton B. Woodruff."<coltonwoodrf@hotmail.com> YOUR CONSENT REQUIRED.

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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:
- "million 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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Colton B. Woodruff." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cwooddruff@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:02:57 +0800
Subject: YOUR CONSENT REQUIRED.

Compliment,

I'm Colton B. Woodruff an underwriter (Lead Manager) with an investment firm situated in United Kingdom. A deceased client of mine who was an oil worker with BP PETRONAS Acetyls Sdn Bhd located in Malaysia, died with his wife and entire family on a vacation to Phuket, Thailand. He and his entire family passed away as a result plane crash. I have contacted you to help assist me in ensuring the funds lodged by my late client with a financial institution Abroad worth US8M Dollars is been claimed. Do contact me at once to indicate your interest. I will need your details as follows

Names:

Address:

Occupation:

Phone numbers:

This will enable me re-profile your details on the USD8 Million dollars as the new recipient. You earn 40% as your commission for acting as my associate once fund has been received. This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology. Looking forward working with you.

Your swift response is anticipated.

Best Regards,

Mr. Colton B. Woodruff.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam