419 scam: "From Mr. Pandi Upson" <webmember396@yahoo.com.my> Urgent Propsosal

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- mr.pandiupson01@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "From Mr. Pandi Upson" <webmember396@yahoo.com.my>
Reply-To: "From Mr. Pandi Upson" <mr.pandiupson01@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 06:42:06 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Urgent Propsosal

Hello,

Â

I am account manager with oneof the leading banks in South Africa . In my bank I discovered anabandoned large sum of fund totaling (US$19.6 Million) belonging to one of ourforeign customers, who is an American national and businessman based in SouthAfrica. The deceased in question was involved in a horrible boat accident inthe year 2007 along with his wife and three children, who all passed awayduring the incident.

I am therefore, seeking foryour co-operation to front you as the beneficiary of the funds he left behindsince there is no other next of kin to claim the funds as shown on his recordwith my bank. The Strategy is to use my influence as branch account manager toprovide you with the relevant information's that has to do with the saidaccount, which will enable you put in application for the claim of the estate.So if you are interested in this humble offer, I will so much appreciate youreconfirm your contact details so that I can contact you with more details, asto enable us proceed with the claim as time is of high essence.

Email:Â mr.pandiupson01@gmail.com

I await your urgent response.
Mr. Pandi Upson.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam