419 scam: Sgt Arthur Hugo <sddy@att.net> Re: IMPORTANT FROM IRAQ

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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)
- "million us 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "10% will be kept aside for expenses" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a next of kin 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.
- alexcarsons@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Sgt Arthur Hugo <sddy@att.net>
Reply-To: sgtarthur_2513hugo@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2010 08:34:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: IMPORTANT FROM IRAQ

Re: IMPORTANT FROM IRAQ

Dear Friend,

Good day to you. I respectfully implore you to treat this email with utmost confidentiality and if you are unable to assist in any way, please delete this message immediately and keep confidential.

Thank you. My name is Arthur Hugo I am an American soldier, serving in the military with the 3rd Armored Division in Iraq . Sometime ago, I and my superior moved funds belonging to Saddam Hussein's government, in total of $25,000,000.00 (Twenty Five million US dollars), this is for real and the money is being kept safe in a security company.

You can click on the link below to read about the events that took place here. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ middle_east/2988455.stm

Basically since we are working for the government and cannot keep this much funds, we have decided to look for someone to help us keep this funds this is why I have contacted you, so you can keep it for us in your safe account or better still in an offshore account.

We will divide the total funds in three ways, since we are three involved in this. You will have 20%, 30% will be for me, and my superior will have 40%. 10% will be kept aside for expenses. Do remember that this business is confidential and should not be discussed with anyone.There is no risk involved whatsoever.

If you are interested i will send you the full details, my job is to find a good anonymous partner whom we can trust and will assist us in this transaction.

Can we trust you? When you receive this letter, kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest including your confidential telephone/fax numbers to my very secure e-mail alexcarsons@yahoo.com

Respectfully submitted
Sgt. Arthur Hugo

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam