419 scam: Linda Hoffman <linda.hoffman@ortonville.k12.mn.us> Mutual Benefit!!!

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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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- paulton31@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Linda Hoffman <linda.hoffman@ortonville.k12.mn.us>
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2016 11:01:31 +0000
Subject: Mutual Benefit!!!

Dear Friend,

I am Mr Paul Newton an Assistant Accountant with the Department of Housing here in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is an agreement between myself and my Chief Accountant to contact somebody in this transaction.

Sometime ago contracts were awarded to some foreign firms. all contracts has since been completed and all contractors concerned paid in full. Myself and my Chief Accountant have discovered a total amount of Six Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars (US$6.8 million) unclaimed. Since all contractors have been paid in full, this money belongs to nobody or firm. Anybody or firm can collect this money immediately without any problem. There is no risk involve at all.

We want you to provide an account for the funds to be paid into and act as the beneficiary of the funds. For providing the account, you shall receive 50% of the amount, 45% shall be for me and my colleague while the balance 5% shall be set aside as pay back for any bill or expenses that may be incurred by both sides during the course of this transaction. We have the full contacts and connections to get the funds released immediately we have a partner to act as the beneficiary. Once again I assure you that this transaction is 100% safe, there is nothing to worry about, since we shall have the documents to back the claim.
Please and please keep this transaction strictly confidential. Let it be between me and you ONLY
immediately you receive this email to enable us start promptly to get the funds released to the account you shall provide.
Remember to keep this transaction strictly confidential. This is very important.

I await your swift reply. To paulton31@gmail.com

Best regards,
Paul Newton

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam