419 scam: "BELLO USMAN" <info@lee.com> THIS IS 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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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)
- "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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found 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.
- bellousman3@onet.pl (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "BELLO USMAN" <info@lee.com>
Reply-To: bellousman3@onet.pl
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2017 12:37:08 -0700
Subject: THIS IS VERY URGENT

--
My Dear Friend

Good day to you. I am the remittance Director of Emirates NBD Bank my
Names are Mr. Bello Usman a Bank Officer in U.A.E. I believe it is the
wish of God for me to come across you now. I have been in search of
someone who I want to work together with so when I came across your email,
I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other.

I am have an important business discussion I wish to share with you which
I believe will interest you, because it is in connection with a transfer
and I know you are going to benefit from it.

One Late Peter Souza, a citizen of your the United States had a fixed
deposit with my bank in 2005 for 108 calendar months, valued at
US$30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million United States Dollars) the due date for
this deposit contract was last 22nd of January 2015. Sadly Peter Souza was
among the dead victims in a plane crash Flydubai Flight 981 in March 19,
2016 He was in on a business trip to Russia and that was how he met his
end. You can verify me and the accident:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Flydubai_Flight_981

My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because
he was my friend and I am his account officer. Interestingly, Peter did
not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and he was
not married and had no children. Last week my Bank Management requested
that Peter should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to
renew the contract. I knew this would happen and that is why I have been
looking for a means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors
happen to know that Peter is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take
the funds for their personal use. so I dont want such to happen. I am now
seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the
account, and my bank headquarters will release the account to you.

There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. It is
better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors to take
it. They are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we
share the funds equal, 50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to
start my own company which has been my dream. Let me know your mind on
this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET.

We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response on my
private email bellousman3@onet.pl

Anticipating your communication .

Regards.
Bello Usman THIS IS VERY URGENT

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam