419 scam: Mr Paul Usman <paulusman64@yahoo.com> HELLO'

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge deposit" (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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- mrpaul_usman33@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Paul Usman <paulusman64@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: paul_usman5656@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 05:41:27 -0300
Subject: HELLO'

Dear Friend,

My name is Barrister : Paul Usman Solicitor.The Personal Attorney to
Eng.Thomas,a national of your country who used to work with best minning gold
development company here in Ghana.On the 6th of November 2007,my client, his
wife and their two children were involved in a car accident along Ablemkpe
Express Road.All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives.

Since then I have made several inquiries to my late client's embassy to locate
any of his blood extended relatives,but this proves unsuccessful,After these
several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the
Internet, to locate any member of his family but of no avail,hence I contacted
you.

I have contacted you to assist in repartrating the money and property left
behind by my client prior to his death before they get confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were
lodged.Particularly,the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about
$14.5 million dollars.The bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of
kin or
have the account confiscated within the next 14 official working days.since i
have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2years and some
months now,I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the
deceased since you are from thesame country,so that the proceeds of this
account valued at $14.5million dollars can be paid to you,thereafter you and
I can share the money. 60% to me and 40% to you, I will secure certificate of
deposit and other relevant approvals documents that can be used to back up any
claim we may make.All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see
this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Please get in touch with me by my private email :mrpaul_usman33@yahoo.com.hk
to enable us discuss further.

Best regards,

Barrister Paul Usman.

NB:Pls include to me your private telephone and fax number in your response

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