419 scam: "Saif Al Shehhi" <sa.shehhi@hotmail.com> Urgent Biz Deal (USD 26.7M)

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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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "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)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Saif Al Shehhi" <sa.shehhi@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: s.a.shehhi@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:57:20 +0400
Subject: Urgent Biz Deal (USD 26.7M)

Greetings.

My Name is Mr. Saif Al Shehhi, a Bank Officer here in Abu Dhabi, in United
Arab Emirates. I am writing, following an opportunity in my office that
will be of an immense benefit to both of us.

In my department I discovered an abandoned sum of US$26,700,000.00
(Twenty-six Million, Seven Hundred Thousand US Dollars) in an account that
belongs to one of our foreign customers who unfortunately lost his life in
the May 26, 2006.

The choice of contacting you is aroused from the geographical nature of
where you live, particularly due to the sensitivity of the transaction and
the confidentiality herein.

I personally has been un-successful in locating the relatives for 2 years
now. Therefore I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin /
Beneficiary so that the proceeds of this account valued at
US$26,700,000.00 can be paid to you instead of letting the bank confiscate
the money since nobody has shown up for the claim or
applied in writing for 5yrs since the Earthquake happened.

Regarding the sharing, I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we
share the funds equal, to both parties.
All I require now is your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and Trust
to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee you that this will
be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any
breach of the law.

Your urgent response will be highly anticipated and appreciated and please
ensure you keep this business very confidential.

Best regards,

Mr.S.A.Shehhi.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam