419 scam: merlin smith <merlinsmth@outlook.com> VERY URGENT

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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 united states 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)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- merlinsmith99@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: merlin smith <merlinsmth@outlook.com>
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2014 20:31:32 +0000
Subject: VERY URGENT

Good morning sir/ma,

Am very happy and glad to send you a mail this morning. How was your
night? I hope you slept well and dream about us. As for me, the
thought of you is driving me crazy and wishing for the day we are
going to be together.

i really understand your situation over there and i want you to know that
things will be fine soon.
Because my bible make me to understand that with God, all things are
possible.

And i believe i have told you this before but is like you are not
taking it serious. All i have been telling you from day one is from
the depth of my heart. Before my late father died he had a gold and
rubber and diamond source , he deposited
some huge sum of funds with a security company and on his will, he
stated that the funds can only be release to the man in my life or a
foreign beneficiary that will help me invest the money and get a
better life abroad. When i think about this, you are the only one i
believe that can help me invest the funds and the fund is $4.6million
United States Dollars.

Honey, all you need do is to contact the Diplomatic Courier Company
and ask them on how the two trunk boxes can be delivered to you in a
Diplomatic means. Because the company will be delivering it to you in
person in any States or country you are. Sweetheart, i think when you
get the funds, there will be enough money for you to send to me and as
well invest the rest of it. Am doing this for the true love i have
for you. Mind you, the diplomatic courier company does not know the
content inside the two trunk boxes, is just both of us that knows that
there is money inside it.

You can contact the diplomatic Courier Company Director: Benedict Ofosu
Email address;; companyghanadiplomaticcourier@yahoomail.com or call
on +233279560092. I hope to hear from you soon.

Regards
Merlin Smith
merlinsmith99@yahoo.com.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam