419 scam: David Lawal <michael_smith012010@yahoo.com> ATTN: Distinguished Beneficiary

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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: David Lawal <michael_smith012010@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: David Lawal <infopayment_details101@yahoo.com.au>
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2015 12:40:18 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: ATTN: Distinguished Beneficiary

FROM OFFICE OF Secretary (SGF)
Federal Republic of Nigeria

ATTN: Distinguished Beneficiary

REF: FINAL PAYMENT OF $10.5M

Please, kindly confirm to us this account received today from Mr.James Wilkinson, as your next of kin, instructing us to effect payment through your new nominated account.

BANQUE NATIONAL DE CANADA
540 1ST STREET IBERVILLE
QUEBEC, CANADA.
A/NO 20-181-51 TRANSIT: 04431006

expectably, your payment will be released to your new account within 48 hours of receiving your confirmation. We shall at the same time be sending to you, the receipt including your telex copy for onward confirmation of your inherited fund from our bank. This is a follow up
on the resolution reached by the board of this bank to intervene in the situation and release all impending inheritance funds in this bank, yours inclusive.

We have made effort to reach you on the telephone number presented also by your next of kin but we are unable. Hence, we decided to reach you via your former fax and email address. You are therefore advised,to confirm to this office immediately you receive this letter
before the transfer would be made.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation

Yours Faithfully

Dr. David Lawal

Secretary (SGF)
Federal Republic of Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam