419 scam: "Yahoo Security Update" <bjbayer@ucdavis.edu> Update Yahoo Account!

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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.
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: noreply@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2012 09:08:51 -0600
Subject: Update Yahoo Account!

=

=

Unauthorized Access =

Dear Valued Customer, In the last few days, our security Team observed mu=
ltiple logons to your account, from Different Blacklisted I.P addresses, th=
erefore we are Issuing this security warning. To prevent further unauthoriz=
ed access for your safety, we have decided to put an extra verification pro=
cess to ensure your account security. To ensure that your account informa=
tion remains accurate and secure, we will notify you whenever this informat=
ion changes. Please click on the link below to activate and secure your =
account. This System Maintenance is for your safety and protect your accoun=
t against unknown users.We work hard to safeguard your account and personal=
information. That's why from time to time we may ask you to verify your id=
entity online. This verification process will only take a few seconds. Clic=
k Here To Update And SecureYour Account Sincerely,

Yahoo Account Service =

Because your reply will not be transmitted via secure e-mail, the e-mail a=
ddress that generated this alert will not accept replies. If you would like=
to contact Us with questions or comments, Please visit the customer servic=
e section. =

Yahoo =A9 2012 Yahoo Corporation. All rights reserved

=20

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam