419 scam: "Mrs. Sarah H. Edward"<edwardsarah1@accountant.com> Golden Opportunity!

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "a project that will be very beneficial to both of us" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "your urgent reply" (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.
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.
- sarahedwaed65@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- proposal, kindly get back to me via private e-mail: sarahedwaed65@gmail.com i'm looking forward to receive your urgent reply. yours (Gmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Sarah H. Edward" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Sarahedwaed65@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2011 01:05:04 +0800
Subject: Golden Opportunity!

Your Attention Please:

I have decided to contact you on a project that will be very beneficial to both of us. During auditing exercise in my office, I came across some fund which was on a separate and undisclosed account, when I carried out my investigation, I discovered that it was an overdraft that was perfected by the formal secretary whom I took over the office from, he was unable to move out this huge sum of money due to the urgency that was attached to his dismissal from this office. And the fund is US$5.7 Million United States Dollar.

I am in search of a reliable person who can put up a claim on this fund, so that it will be transferred to his/her account and both of us would use it for an Investment purpose, right now I have successfully moved the fund to an escrow Account in one of the Local Banks in Malaysia. Upon your acceptance to carry on this task more information will be made known to you.

Please you have been advised to keep "top-secret" as I am still in service and intend to retire from service after I conclude this deal with you. I will fly down to your country or any place we shall agreed on for subsequent negotiation regarding the investment and its benefits immediately this fund has being transferred into your designated Bank Account.
Upon your acceptance to this proposal, kindly get back to me via private e-mail: Sarahedwaed65@gmail.com

I'm looking forward to receive your urgent reply.

Yours Faithfully,
Mrs. Sarah H. Edward
Email: edwardsarah@accountant.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam