419 scam: "David Benning" <benningd93@yahoo.com.hk> REPLY BACK

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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)
- "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. )
- "million 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)
- "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)
- ",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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "David Benning" <benningd93@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: benningd91@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 21:28:35 +0700 (ICT)
Subject: REPLY BACK

--
Dear Friend.
As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I
Know everyone will die someday.My name is David Benning, a merchant
in Dubai, in the U.A.E.
I have been diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer which was discovered very
late, due to my laxity in carrying for my health. It has defiled all
forms of medicine,and right now I have only about a few months to live,
according to medical experts.I have not particularly lived my life so
well, as I never really cared for anyone not even myself but my business.
Though I am a wealthy man, I was never generous, I was always hostile to
people and only focus on my business as that was the only thing I cared
for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life
than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world.
I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would
live my life a different way from how I have lived it.Now that God ! has
called me, I have willed and given most of my properties and assets to my
immediate and extended family members and as well as a few close friends.
I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul and so, I have decided
to give arms to charity organizations and give secured and comfort to the
less privileged in our societies, as I want this to be one of the last
good deeds I do on earth.So far, I have distributed money to some charity
organizations in the U.A.E, Algeria and Malaysia.
Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this my self
anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and
distribute the money which I have there to charity organization and to the
less privileged in Bulgaria and Pakistan, they refused and kept the money
to themselves.
Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with
what I have left for them.The last of my money which no one knows of, is
the huge cash deposit of Eight million US dollars($8,000,000.00) that I
have with a Security Company in Europe for safe keeping.
I will want you to help me collect this deposit and disburse it to some
charity organizations and to the less privileged.
Please send me a mail to indicate if you will assist me in this
disbursement.You will take 20% of the Eight million dollars for your time
and assistance in realizing this transaction.While I await to hear from
you,may God be with you and your entire family.
Remain blessed.
David Benning

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam