419 scam: "Dr. Adams Young" <dr.yadams@yahoo.co.nz> Attn.Beneficiary, reconfirm your info.ASAP.

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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:
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Adams Young" <dr.yadams@yahoo.co.nz>
Reply-To: dr.adamsyoung@live.com
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:25:41 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Attn.Beneficiary, reconfirm your info.ASAP.

Attn.Beneficiary,

This is to inform you that the World Bank has passed an order for all foreign debts be it contract, inheritance or lottery to be cleared under a limited time. We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you; It has come to our awareness that you have been effectively communicating with non-employees of this financial institutions and apparently you have to cease all communications with individuals not referred by us, Else you won't get your fund, which is one of the reasons why you have not received your payment. Note, arrangement had been made to pay you Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) through our Offshore payment center in Spain. We would have credited your fund and send you the payment slip, but to avoid mistakes of paying the wrong person necessitated my letter to you; you are advised to reconfirm the following information:

(1) Your full name;
(2) Age;
(3) Address;
(4) Tel/Fax number;
(5) Occupation;
(6) Banking details;

Your fund will be credited into your designated bank account within three days of receiving these information needed from you.

Best Regards,
Dr.Adams Young.
Director, Debt Payment Office.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam