419 scam: Miss Sarah Edward <sarah0123edward@msn.com> From Miss Sarah Edward

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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:
- "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "necessary legal documents" (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. )
- "the 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)
- "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 state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a orphan 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.
- sarah2013edward01@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Miss Sarah Edward <sarah0123edward@msn.com>
Reply-To: <sarah2013edward01@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 12:08:01 +0000
Subject: From Miss Sarah Edward

From Miss Sarah
Edward
Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire .

(CONFIDENTIAL MESSAGE)

Dearest
One,

Good thing to write you. I have a proposal for you.
This
however is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you to honour against
your will.

I am Miss Sarah Edward, the only daughter of my late parents
Mr and Mrs Atta Edward. My father was a highly reputable business magnet-(a
Cocoa Merchant, Diamond and Gold Dealer) who operated in the capital of Ivory
Coast during his days. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in
France during one of his business trips abroad on 2nd March 2012.
Though his
sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an
uncle of his who travelled with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My
mother died when I was just 4 years old, and since then my father took me so
special.

Before his death on 2nd March 2012 he called the secretary who
accompanied him to the hospital and told him that he has the sum of Seventeen
Million, Seven Hundred Thousand United State Dollars.(USD$17.7000) deposited in
SECURITY COMPANY in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire.

He further told him that he
deposited the Consignment in my name as the next of kin and he registered the
Consignment as Family Valuables and finally issued a written instruction to his
lawyer whom he said is in possession to handle all the necessary legal documents
of the Consignment which he deposited in the SECURITY COMPANY and he instructed
the lawyer to handover the documents to me whenever I need it.

I am a
university undergraduate and really don't know what to do.
Now I want a
foreign partner who assists me to retrieve this consignment from the SECURITY
COMPANY in Abidjan Cote d$BC*(Bvoire .

This is because I have suffered a lot
of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Ivory coast. The
death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. I am in a sincere desire
of your humble help in this regards.

Your suggestions and ideas will be
highly regarded.

Now permit me to ask these few
questions:-

1.Can you kindly tell me what the type of a profitable
venture this fund will used to invest avoid waste of it.
2). Can you
honestly help me as your daughter?
3). Can I completely trust you?
4).
What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after you
have collected this consignment on my behalf?

Thanks and remain
blessed,

waiting to hear from you,

Yours Sincerely,

Miss
Sarah Edward.

For more
details of the project,

Please reply to
my private E-mail ID

sarah2013edward01@yahoo.co.jp

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam