419 scam: "Gary Cole"<billrobby@gmail.com> Overdue Fund

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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:
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "below is the details of " (this email uses bad English)
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.
- +447042059191 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Gary Cole" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <reevestt16@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 6 Jan 2014 21:50:26 -0600
Subject: Overdue Fund

DIRECTOR,LEGAL SERVICES

This is in respect to all outstanding Foriegn payment.I am Dr Gary Cole,Director,LegalServices,African Union Commission,We were mandated to investigate and settle all outstanding Foreign debts.

During our investigation,we discovered that your fund has been overdue for payment.we also discovered that some top officials were diverting foreign beneficiaries payment to another bank accounts of their choice overseas.In your payment file,a change of account/Beneficiary was submitted on your behalf by one Mr Zheng Lee,Mr Lee claimed to be your associate and that you authorized the change of beneficiary/change of account in his name and favour.

Below is the details of the account submitted by Mr Lee,please do confirm if you are aware of the new development as we are about effecting payment to this account stated below through our paying bank.

CREDIT SUISSE
Bahnhofstrasse,Z?rich,CH-8021
Beneficiary: ZHENG TIAN LEE
Bank: CREDIT SUISSE
Bahnhofstrasse,Z?rich,CH-8021
A/C #:0A1024502601
Swift Code:50050201
Amount : usd$5m

Contact me immediately for further clarification Tel:+44 704 205 9191,please failure to reach us with the requested clarification will leave us with no option than to go ahead and pay to the above account.

Yours faithfull
Dr Gary Cole (London-UK)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam