419 scam: Carlos Ortega <jjjyounguk1@live.com> Please Read

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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.

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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:
- "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. )
- "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "dormant 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.

Fraud email example:

From: Carlos Ortega <jjjyounguk1@live.com>
Reply-To: ccarlosortegauk@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:46:55 +0100
Subject: Please Read

Hello My Friend,

This proposal might come to you as a surprise but believe me that it is transparent business.I am Carlos Ortega,an external auditor in London,England.In the course of our yearly routine audit of investment Portfolio, I discovered that a personal account has been dormant for over two years with a huge balance. The account belongs to a single beneficiary (name witheld for securiry reasons).Further investigations of the said account reveal that the late investor last operated the account in 2007, about the time of his death. He died without a will and also with no next of kin, so there was no beneficiary/nobody coming forward all these years to lay claim to the investment account.

The personal investment account in this instance has been dormant for about 2 Years, thus making it a dormant account. I wish to inform you that using our Inside leverage, we (I am working on this with an attorney at this time), Together with yourself can secure the funds in this account for us instead of allowing it sent to the Treasury of the Government of the United Kingdom. All we need is your approval and the lawyer will file for an application for proceeds on your behalf. All necessary legal documents required will be provided.

You shall be adequately compensated for your part in this transaction and also helping me invest my share of the funds when the money is in your account. I shall however leave out the other details of this transaction till i receive an affirmation of your desire to participate. I can assure you that we are completely in charge of the transaction and as such there is no risk whatsoever if you decide to work with us. It is however important to say that secrecy is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction.

If you wish to proceed with me you must send me the following:

Your full name................
Mobile/Cell phone number ...............
Mailing address...............
Age.....
Occupation..........

I look forward to hearing from you.

With warmest personal regards and best wishes,

Carlos Ortega

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam