419 scam: Carol Hancock <indigo_sailing@yahoo.com> My South Africa Trip.........Urgent Help Needed

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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:
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Carol Hancock <indigo_sailing@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Carol Hancock <indigo_sailing@live.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2013 19:36:30 -0800 (PST)
Subject: My South Africa Trip.........Urgent Help Needed

Hello,

I really
hope you get this on time, but I am in need of some urgent assistance
few days back we made an unannounced vacation trip to Cape Town, South
Africa everything was going fine until last night here, my worst fears
came true as we were heading back to the hotel...all cash, credit cards
and our cell phones were stolen at gun point,and it's hard to get hold
of a phone here in Cape Town it's such a horrible experience for us.
Glad we had left our passports in the safe at the hotel we need to get
back home.

I have been to the Police and they directed me to the
embassy but they're not helping issues at all and canceled all our
cards, it appeared I acted quickly enough or they almost would have
succeeded in clearing out my bank account, we need some money so we can
pay for our hotel bills and get a cab to the airport, and then fly home
from there wondering if you can loan me $2,850USD, i will make the
refund when i get home,send me an email back, we have internet access
from the lobby in the hotel. I'm sorry to bother you, I just didn't know
how else to contact everyone quickly.

Please let me know if you can help me out?

Awaiting your prompt response

Best Regards,
Carol

S/V INDIGO

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam