419 scam: "Mr. Paul W. Wells" <paulwilsonwells509@gmx.com> VITAL INFORMATION!!!

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- paul.wells@tlen.pl (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Paul W. Wells" <paulwilsonwells509@gmx.com>
Reply-To: paul.wells@tlen.pl
Date: Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:59:12 +0545
Subject: VITAL INFORMATION!!!

PAULWELLS AND CO. CHAMBERS
LEGAL HEAD, paulwells and Co. Chambers.
892 Bulovard - Airport Road - Kumassi,
00233 Kumassi - GHANA.

Good day to you,

My name is Paul Wilson Wells From Ghana, I hope my message meets you in good health.

I wish to notify you (again) that you were listed as the beneficiary to a total sum of USD$4,750,000.00 (Four Million Seven Hundred And Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) in the intent of the deceased (late) Madame Olivia. I contacted you because you bear the same last name with my deceased client and therefore I can present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance, since there is no written will from my late client. I received a notification from the Central Bank (BANK OF GHANA H/Q) that the funds will be confiscated to Government's treasury account as abandoned funds due to account in-activity for the past 14 Months since she passed away to glory (Natural Cardiac Arrest) at age 68, I have two weeks only to present a beneficiary in order to avoid this action. Please, I am in need of your support, for I cannot do this alone.

I am prepared to provide you with all the documents which might be required by the holding Bank to enable them release this inheritance funds to you. All the papers work required will be processed in your acceptance of this deal as I am prepared to offer you 45%, 45% for me, while 10% will be set aside for any expenses we pay for during this transaction, that is to say that any money spent during the period of this transaction will be fully refunded once the fund has been transferred into your nominated bank account or any other safer means you prefer. I request that you kindly forward to me your letter of acceptance with the below details via my private email(paul.wells@tlen.pl)

Your Full Name:
Full Address:
Personal Tel No.
Private Email:
Date of Birth:

I will truly appreciate your response.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Wilson Wells

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam