419 scam: "Paul Usman"<p.usman90880@gmail.com> GREETINGS,

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge deposit" (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 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- paul.usman5050@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Paul Usman" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paul_usman02@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 12:39:34 -0800
Subject: GREETINGS,

Dear Friend,

My name is Barrister : Paul Usman Solicitor.The Personal Attorney to
Eng.Thomas,a national of your country who used to work with best minning gold
development company here in Ghana.On the 6th of April 2007,my client, his
wife and their two children were involved in a car accident along Ablemkpe
Express Road.All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives.

Since then I have made several inquiries to my late client's embassy to
locate any of his blood extended relatives,but this proves
unsuccessful,After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace
his relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of his family but of
no avail,hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist in repartrating the money and property left
behind by my client prior to his death before they get confiscated or
declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.
Particularly,the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about
$6.5 million dollars.The bank has issued me a notice to provide the next
of kin or have the account confiscated within the next 14 official working
days.since i have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over
2years and some months now,I seek your consent to present you as the next
of kin of the deceased since you are from thesame country,so that the proceeds of this account valued at $6.5million dollars
can be paid to you,thereafter you and I can share the money. 60% to me and
40% to you, I will secure certificate of deposit and other relevant
approvals documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.All
I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.I
guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law.

Please get in touch with me by my private email :
paul.usman5050@sify.com
to enable us discuss further.

Best regards,

Barrister Paul Usman.

NB:Pls include to me your private telephone and fax number in your response

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam