419 scam: "Mr Yousuf Arafat"<nancy@newsmy.com> Distress Call From Abidjan:

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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:
- ",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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- mryousufarafat@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Yousuf Arafat" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mryousufarafat@w.cn>
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:09:23 -0000
Subject: Distress Call From Abidjan:

Attn: Executive/CEO.

RE: Funds Investment and Management Proposal.

My name is MR. YOUSUF ARAFAT, the only son of Late DR.ARAFAT MOHAMMAD,
The Abidjan Cote d' ivory leading COCO Exporters who died recently during the political crisis in my country, our residence ware bugled by some uniform men’s sent by president Laurent Gbagbo. I am facilitating for a private investor/nationalization, I need your help.

I have clean and unambiguous fund (US$15,000,000.00) to invest in profitable long-term business in your country/company under your supervision.

I have however contacted you on trust to discuss your assistance and commission in this Endeavour.

This project is ready for execution as soon as I hear from your. I look forward to your swift response to this letter. :- mryousufarafat@aol.com

Sincerely Yours,

MR. YOUSUF ARAFAT,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam