419 scam: "woodlich"<dwoodlnch@yahoo.com.hk> A GREAT YEAR!

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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.

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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "woodlich" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dwoodlinch@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:18:36 -0000
Subject: A GREAT YEAR!

Happy New Year my friend. My name is Daniel Woodlich and I am a Manager of a bank here in my country and I have taken pains to find out your contact.

On a routine check last year, I discovered some investment accounts that have been dormant for years now. All the funds in the account belong to a late foreign depositor Basil Kasperos, with monies totalling, Forty Million, Two Hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling (£40,200,000.00). Now the banking regulation and legislation demands that I do notify the fiscal authorities after a
statutory time when dormant accounts of this type, are called in by the Banking Regulatory Commission bodies.

The above facts are the reason why I am writing and proposing to you. My investigation of the said account reveals that the depositor died in 1997 before the deposit matured. I can authoritatively confirm to you with certainty that the said investor, died intestate and no next of kin to his estate has been found or has come forward all these years.

I am greatly convinced that using my insider leverage, and working with you, the money can be secured in the account for us instead of allowing it pass as unclaimed funds into the coffers of the Government of my country. Now, I am craving for your participation, indulgence and co-operation . I have with me, all relevant and legal documents that will facilitate our putting you forward as
the only surviving beneficiary of the funds and ultimately allow you to transfer the money to an account of your own choice.

Of course you shall be handsomely rewarded for your part in this transaction or deal, am prepared and willing to allocate a 40% slice of the total funds for your efforts subject to negotiation. I shall leave out all further details of this transaction till I receive a confirmatory note of participation from you.
Be rest assured that I am on top of this situation all the time and there will be a no risk whatsoever if you elect to come on board. Needless to say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction. I will give you more information about the late depositor ASAP.

I look forward to hear from you soon.

Yours truly,
Daniel Woodlich

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam