419 scam: <webmail987@mailbox529.onmicrosoft.com> URGENT ASSISTANCE

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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:
- "hundred thousand us 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: <webmail987@mailbox529.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <stvhawakin@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2013 21:43:38 +0530
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE

I am sorry for invading your privacy. My steve hawa.I am from New Zealand =
but currently in the UK. I have been a successful businessman for the past =
20 years, my business interests has spanned the sectors of metals, oil and =
precious stones in Asia, Africa and Europe, during this time, I have amasse=
d a lot of wealth but recently I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It h=
as defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about =
a few weeks to live. I am very rich, but was never generous; I have given m=
ost of my assets to my immediate family members but my mind is not at peace=
since I have a dream of giving back to the society and helping the needy i=
n our world. I have decided to give alms and donations to charity organizat=
ions.I cannot do this myself anymore because of my health. I once asked mem=
bers of my family to give some money to charity organizations,they refused =
and kept the money for themselves that made my health heavy and uneasy. I h=
ave a huge cash deposit in a secured bank since 2010. I will want you to he=
lp me collect this deposit and dispatch it to charity organizations for cha=
rity work under your supervision. You will take out 30% of these funds for =
your assistance. Please answer these questions. [1] Full Names: [2] Your Co=
untry: [3] Direct Telephone [4] Date of birth: [5] Occupation: Get back to =
me to enable me direct you the the India bank were i made this deposit, Bef=
ore i forget the amount that i deposited with the India bank is the sum of =
Eight Million Three Hundred Thousand US dollars only. Get bak to me with th=
e requested details.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam