419 scam: "Paul Udoh"<pauludoh100@yahoo.co.jp> KINDLY READ AND RESPOND BACK URGENTLY

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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)
- "observe 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)
- "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Paul Udoh" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pauludoh99@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:57:36 +0200
Subject: KINDLY READ AND RESPOND BACK URGENTLY

Dear Friend,

My name is Col Edmond Young, I am an American soldier, I am serving in the military of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment,

Patrols Tal Afar, in Iraq.. I am presently serving in one of the horrible prisons in Iraq now. I apologized using this

medium to reach you for a transaction of this magnitude.

Please view the links to see my pictures.

http://www4.army.mil/armyimages/armyimage.php?photo=9169 and http://www4.army.mil/armyimages/armyimage.php?photo=7990.

We have in our possession the sum of US$24,000,000.00 (TWENTY FOUR MILLION US DOLLARS),which belongs to Saddam Hussein.

These funds have been moved and kept safe in a Security Company, please view this link for more details:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm Basically since we are working for the American Government, we cannot

keep these funds, but we want to move the funds to you, so that you can keep it for us in your safe account or an offshore

account.

I have the authority of my partners involved to propose that should you be willing to assist us in this transaction, your

share of the sum will be 20% of the US$24 million, 70% for us and 10% will be kept aside for expenses and be rest assure

that this business is 100% safe on your part provided you treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality.

Therefore, if you are interested, please reply immediately via email with your Full Name, Current Mailing Address,your

confidential Telephone and Fax numbers for easy communication and write me immediately.

Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details that will help you understand the transaction.

Please observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this business is risk free.

Respectfully submitted to you.
Col Edmond Young
Tal Afar, Iraq.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam