419 scam: "Mrs.Yvonne Owodon"<fax@self-informatique.biz> My Dear friend/ partner

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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- +2348022767287 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Yvonne Owodon" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <markbenson@darkmark.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 12:04:09 +0100
Subject: My Dear friend/ partner

My Dear friend/ partner

How are you today? I hope all is well with you and your family and this letter finds you in excellent condition if you health ? maybe you do not remember me my name is Mrs.Yvonne Owodon,you got a letter from me in the past on the proposal of a Multi million dollar business that we never concluded at that time.

I am using this opportunity to inform you that this is this Multi millions dollars business has been concluded with another Greek merchant who financed it into logical conclusion.

I thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into your account,although the reason why you did not finish this transaction with me is best known to you.

In connection with the efforts, sincerity, courage, dignity and confidence you have shown in the deal, I want to compensate you and express my gratitude to you with the sum of $ 2.5 million. (Two million five hundred Thousands U.S. dollars) so i left with my Barrister an international certified bank draft for $ 2.5 million cash able at any Bank in the World.

My dear friend, I want you to contact my Attorney Bar.Mark Benson and advise him how to send the draft to you without any delay.

At this point, I am very busy here in Paraguay, South America, trying to use this fund for charity with my new partner.

Please accept this little token in good faith as it is from the bottom of my heart.

Here is the information of my Attorney below

Contact person: Bar.Mark Benson
EMAIL: markbenson@darkmark.com
MOBILE: +234-80-2276-7287

Note you must send to him your full names, telephone number and contact address and also inform him about how you want to get your draft.

Thank you once again for your past effort and God bless you.

Mrs.Yvonne Owodon

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam