419 scam: "Wu" <uhch55@gmail.com> Business Enquiry.

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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:
- "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found 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.
- davtuw5244@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Wu" <uhch55@gmail.com>
Reply-To: davtuw5244@aim.com
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:59:42 +0330
Subject: Business Enquiry.

Private Email: davtuw5244@aim.com

Hello,

This is to invite you to an investment opportunity involving a lucrative business proposal for a common interest to share with you.

I am Mr. Wu Liang. This is a deal which concerns the transfer of a large sum of money. Everything about this transaction shall be legally done without any problem. Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue.
If you are interested, mail back, through my private Email address, written above,

I shall give you more informations about this proposal, as soon as I receive your positive response.

Kind Regards,

Mr.Wu Liang

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam