419 scam: Sgt Carol Woodford <sgtcarolwoodford@gmail.com> From Sgt Carol Woodford

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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.

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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "trunk box" (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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Sgt Carol Woodford <sgtcarolwoodford@gmail.com>
Reply-To: sgtcarolwoodford1@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 07:23:04 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From Sgt Carol Woodford

>From Sgt Carol Woodford

Attention:

I know that you will be skeptical about this mail but I got your contact from your Email domain hence the desire to contact you for good collaboration for this project of mine. If you are willing to show your honesty and trust, I will be able to trust and work with you. I am an American and you should be rest assured that we will achieve our goal.
My name is Sgt Carol Woodford a member of the U.S. ARMY USARPAC MEDICAL TEAM, which was deployed to Iraq at the beginning of the war in Iraq. Although the war has ended, to prove this, see the site below for more information.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/30/iraq-us-troop-withdrawal-celebrations_n_1176330.html
http://dailycaller.com/2011/12/27/as-iraq-war-ends-no-parade-for-troops-is-imminent/
I refused to come along with them though the war has ended. Reason is that I deposited a Trunk Box with a Security Company in Iraq. As a result of this, I have to escape and stay behind to make sure that I am able to get these box out before coming to America, knowingly, that if I am able to get this done I will live a better life. Please, I want this to be between You and I since I am at large. To Prove my sincerity though, I would like to hold back some information for security reasons for now until you have found time to visit the BBC website stated below to enable you have an insight of what I intend sharing with you, believing that it would be of your desired interest one-way or the other.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
I wait to hear from you having visited the above website to enable us discuss in a more clarifying manner to the best of your understanding. I must say that I am very uncomfortable sending this message to you without knowing truly if you would misconstrue the importance and decides to go public. In this regards, I will not hold back to say that the essence of this message is strictly for mutual benefit between you and I and nothing more. I will be vivid and coherent in my next message. Meanwhile, could you send me an email confirming that you have visited the site and that you have understood my intentions? I would like you to get back to me with the following information;
1. Full Name
2. Address
3. Occupation
4. Age
I do not need your telephone number at the moment because I cannot call you and will not like you to call me too for security reasons, we can only communicate through email until I leave Iraq.
Thank and waiting for your reply
Yours Faithfully
Sgt Carol Woodford

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