419 scam: "William Guel" <william_guel@MSN.COM> PLEASE READ AND GET BACK TO MEONEDnal BankCErnational PromPŒë¸"

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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:
- "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. )
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "lome togo" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a orphan scam.
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.
- williamguel04@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "William Guel" <william_guel@MSN.COM>
Reply-To: williamguel04@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 19:04:05 +0000
Subject: PLEASE READ AND GET BACK TO ME

Dear Wang,
I am writing this proposal to you with tears and grief in my heart. I know
this mail may come to you as a surprise but don't worry, I prayed over and
also fasted for God direction toward providing somebody for me who I can
trust in order to secure my money abroad.
I am William Guei., one of the sons of formal Military president of
Republic of Cote D'Ivoire in West Africa, Late Gen. Robert Guei who was
assasinated by the Rebels who want to over throw the present Civilian
president Mr. Laurent Gbagbo. Despite the high rate of fraud associated with
the Internet, I believe and trust you can be of Immense assistance to me
respective of any odd.
My Father died after the rebel struck our mansion and gave my father several
beatings left with some bullet wounds in his body. Before my father's death,
he deposited two (2) Trunk Boxes containing the total sum of USD30 Millions
(THIRTY MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY) into a security company here in
Lome Togo West Africa, where I am now with my sister seeking political
assylum. Be informed that my late father did not disclose the real contents
of the boxes to the officials in the security company.
He (My late father)made them to believe that it is an african arts work
belonging to his Foreign partner who will later come for the clearing. so
right now, the security company does not know theat the box contains money
and they do not know my father's partner.
My late Father handed over the whole documents concerning the deposited
trunk boxes which the security company issued to him on the very day he made
the deposit. because of our ignorance in the business world I want you to
make urgent arrangements to visit me here for just 3 working days so that we
can withdraw the trunk boxes and transfer the whole money into your
nominated bank account in your country or any where you may propose.
I have agreed with my sister to give you 25% of the total amount for your
kind assistance in this transaction and 5% will be set aside for any
expenses that might be incurred during the period of this transaction such
as: Bank Taxes, Flight Tickets, Telephone bills, Hotel accommodations,
Feeding and others, while 70% will be for my family investment in your
country and you will be the General Overseer of the whole Investment.
In order to back up my assistance request,I shall send to you as soon as I
recieve your reply,all the legal documents my late father signed and
recieved from the security company as an evidence on the deposit of the
boxes in thier custody as you confirm your full interest to assist me .
(1)The Certificate of Deposit.
(2)The Agreement Bond.
(3)The Receipt of Deposit.
I urgently await your response so as to furnish you with further details on
this transaction and also effecting a change of beneficiary in your favour
that will further boost your status as my late father's partner before you
travel for the collection of the trunks containing the funds .
Contact phone number 00 228 9030758
Respectfully Submitted,
William Guei .
Alternative Email: williamguel04@yahoo.co.uk

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