419 scam: "OVERSEA CREDIT COMMISSION"<sales@public.ls.xz.cn> Mrs.Edwina Bartram.

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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "diplomatic immunity"
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447045782332 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- overseacomcredit@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "OVERSEA CREDIT COMMISSION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <overseacomcredit@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2012 15:31:32 +0300
Subject: Mrs.Edwina Bartram.

Attention:Beneficiary

We Apologize for the delay of your payment and all the Inconveniences and hiccups that we might have caused you. However, we were having some minor problems with our payment system, which is Inexplicable, and have held us stranded and Indolent, not having the Prerequisite to devote our 100% endowment in accrediting foreign payments.

We apologized once again, from the Records of outstanding debt's due for payment to:{INHERITANCE FUND CLAIMS} THIS OFFICE: DEBT RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE IN-CONJUNCTION WITH OVERSEA CREDIT COMMISSION has been Mandated to Liquidate all outstanding debt,your name and Particulars were discovered as next on the list due for outstanding payment.

I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square hole and can be accelerated so that your payment can be processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the record in our file, YOUR APPROVED outstanding payment TAG with Reference NUMBER: PF-008006-US/01 HAS BEEN APPROVED, Consequently You are advised to choose any preferred method of payment.

{1} Diplomatic immunity payment system {cash delivery to your residence}

{2} Certified Bank Draft/ATM CARD Mail to your home address.

{3} Wire Transfer to your nominated bank account of your choice,as soon as you get in touched with.

In the light of this aforementioned, you are required to furnish this office with the following information, as this will enable us to process and release your fund without any further delay.

Your Full Name:................................
Telephone/mobile and fax Numbers:..............
Residential Address:.........................
Age/Occupation................................

Forward your urgent reply with above informations to Mr.Martins Jones. Director Remittance Department
Oversea Credit Commission.
Representative Officer
TEL: +44 70457 82332

E-mail: overseacomcredit@yahoo.co.jp

For speedy release of your long over-due payment within 48hours.

Yours Sincerely,
Mrs.Edwina Bartram
Board of Director
Sebastian Schaefer
For:Oversea Credit Commission Committee

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam