419 scam: "Hayford Ononuju." <agent147@sbcglobal.net> I have reason for contacting you in this.

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin 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.
- h_ononuju@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- all communication to me should be through this e-mail: h_ononuju@yahoo.com yours sincerely >from the desk of hayford ononuju south (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Hayford Ononuju." <agent147@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: ononuju111@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 15:09:55 -0800 (PST)
Subject: I have reason for contacting you in this.

Dear Friend

RE: FIVE MILLION TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND GREAT BRITISH POUNDS INHERITANCE CLAIM (GBP5, 250, 000, 00)

Before I start, I must first Apologies for this unsolicited mail to you. I am aware that this is certainly an unconventional approach in starting a relationship but as time goes on you will realize the need for my action. MY NAME IS Mr. Hayford Ononuju. I am an accountant to my late client in the Year 2006 my client by name Mr. Putin who passed away, leaving behind a cash inheritance of Five million Two hundred and Fifty thousand Great British Pounds (GPD5,250,000,00).

All efforts by me to trace his Next of Kin proved abortive because he did not make any will prior to his death.The Financial law of inheritance clearly allows for the deceased Bank to use deceased money as deemed fit, should the inheritance money be left unclaimed for a period of thirteen months after the death of the account owner. The Governing Body of the with South Gate Finance Bank where the fund was deposited has contacted me on this matter and I am yet to provide the Next of Kin to lay claims to the Fund. Under a clear and legitimate agreement with you, I shall seek your consent to be presented as the next of Kin so that my late client's fund will not be confiscated by the bank after a long period of time.

The reason why I have contacted you now is because I want to present you as the beneficiary and next of kin to late Mr.Putin.

The Inheritance Law clearly leaves the bonus of proof of who is or is not the next of kin, to the deceased Accountant to prove. As the deceased accountant, the Law says l have the final say of who is the beneficiary of the deceased estate. This is 100% percent legal. As a Accountant I know this.If you are interested in this proposal and you are ready to keep this proposition in absolute confidentiality and trust, then contact me at once with your personal mobile number,contact address home or office your bank account details where the fund will be transfered into with a copy of your identficiation for easy communication, and we can work out the details, and the issue of your percentage.

All communication to ME should be THROUGH this E-mail: h_ononuju@yahoo.com

Yours sincerely
>From The desk Of Hayford Ononuju
South Gate Finance Bank West Africa
Lagos Nigeria
Email: ononuju111@gmail.com

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