419 scam: Echi Don <efile_offic@yahoo.cn> Dear Valued Beneficiary,

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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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "consignment " (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)
- "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)
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: Echi Don <efile_offic@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: timothyjoseph@xnmsn.com
Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2012 23:56:08 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Dear Valued Beneficiary,

Dear Valued Beneficiary,
This
is to inform you that your $6.4 Million USD(Six Million and Four
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) is no longer in Africa.Sequel to
the latest UN meeting in Brussels,Belgium regarding the rapid increase
of online theft and also the downfall of economy in African
regions.Investigations has proved that you are being contacted by
Western union offices,Money gram,some fake bank official including
numerous couriers regarding this payment.

All are fraudsters and
do not have any payment for you except embezzling your hard earned
money.As i am writing you now,your $6.4 Million USD is forwarded to the
African Union Finance Commission(AUFC) under the UN provisions on
foreign payment related issues.

Your $6.4 Million USD has been
packaged in an iron sealed consignment box which is registered with the
speedy mail delivery as an ambassadoral package.The diplomat moves to
united states with your consignment yesterday and have successfully
arrived NY,USA.Please reconfirm your contact address to him now because
he is waiting for you.

Contact him with the below information:
Agent Name.....TIMOTHY JOSEPH
Contact Phone... +16072415526
Email..........(timothyjoseph@xnmsn.com)
You
can reach him with the above number and make sure you reconfirm the
following information to him in order to avoid wrong delivery.
Your Full Name............
Complete House Address........
Contact Telephone Numbers.......
Nearest International Airport.......
Treat this matter as urgency in order to receive your long awaited fund.Mr Joseph Timothy will be waiting to hear from you ASAP.
Regards,
Echi Don

Anti-fraud resources:

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