419 scam: happy sunday <happysundayfrompaul34@msn.com> Greetings From Mr. Paul Goodman,

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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:
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "to 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 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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: happy sunday <happysundayfrompaul34@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mrpaul205@voila.fr>
Date: Sun, 1 May 2011 11:18:22 +0000
Subject: Greetings From Mr. Paul Goodman,

Greetings From Mr. Paul Goodman,

Dear partner,

I know that this message may come to you as a surprise since we have never met before.

However, I decided to reach you through email due to urgency and confidentiality which my proposal demands.

I am Mr. Paul Goodman, a Banker, and Head of Operations with (BANK OF AFRICA BURKINA FASO )in West Africa .

There is the sum of $10,5 Million Dollars currently in my branch, The money belong to one of my client who died without a decree or WILL, and since 2003 nobody has operated on this account. Again hence the money is floating and if I do not remit this money out urgently it will be forfeited for nothing and Government of Burkina Faso will confiscate the funds for their personal use which I personally don't want such incident to happen seeing that this is a great opportunity for me and you, I decided to ask for your assistance to make the claim

That is why I ask that we work together, I will be pleased to work with you as trusted person and see that the fund is transferred out of my Bank into another Bank Account which you are going to provide, Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated Bank account we shall then share it in the ratio of 60% for me, 40% for you. Meanwhile, all the legal papers will be processed in your acceptance to prove our legality of the claim.

If you agree to my business proposal, further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as i receive your return mail, accompany with the below informations which is needed urgently to enable me make necessary changes in the bank system and make sure your name appear as the rightful beneficiary before we apply for the claim.

1. Full name
2: Your private telephone and Fax numbers.
3. Occupations and Nationality.
4. Date of Birth
5. Present Location.

Hoping to hear from you as soon as possible to begin with the processes of nailing claim of this fund.

My Regards to your family,
Mr.Paul Goodman
Phone Number +22678034394

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam