419 scam: "Wendy Yahaya"<yahayawendy@yahoo.com> Can you honestly help me?

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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:
- "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. )
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Wendy Yahaya" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <yahaya.wendy@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 04:24:20 +0100
Subject: Can you honestly help me?

12 BP 1046 Gm Tukpa Road
Cotonou, Benin Republic

My name is Miss.Wendy Yahaya, I am a deaf girl the only Daughter of my late parents Mr and Mrs Fred Yahaya. My father was a highly reputable business man (A COCOA DEALER) who operated in the economic capital of (west African Island) during his days. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad in June 2012.Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who traveled with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 6 years old, and since then my father took me so special.

Before his death on 4th of June, 2012 he called the secretary who accompanied him to the hospital and told him that he has the sum of US$28.500.000.(TWENTY EIGHT MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) left in a security company here in Benin Republic. I am a deaf girl and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do, I want an account overseas where my inheritance fund can be transfer and after the transaction I will come over and by your help I could settle down and plan my future.

This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in West Africa. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards, I wish to invest under your care please. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded But permit me to ask these few
Questions:

1. Can you honestly help me as you would do to your own relation?
2. Can I completely trust you as a reliable person?

Please, Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible so that I can give you details of the transaction

Best regards,
Miss Wendy Yahaya

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam