419 scam: test@test.com Dear Friend Lets Talk (very Important)

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "service fee" (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. )
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.
- moffcial667@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: test@test.com
Reply-To: moffcial667@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 07 Aug 2017 12:36:14 -0700
Subject: Dear Friend Lets Talk (very Important)

Our Ref: MW/DUS837220/2017

Dear Friend

Re: Your inheritance of US$9.2 Million

This is Williams & Woods Genealogical Investigators, specializes in probate research to locate missing heirs and beneficiaries of estates/claims and inheritance funds in Africa and Europe/American continents.

We can also help you find wills, obtain copies of certificates, help you to administer an Estate/Funds, as well as calculating how an estate, intestacy or trust should be distributed.

You are entitled to a large pay out for an inheritance in Africa worth US$9.2 million. We have discovered a Huge fund belonging to late Depositor which has remained unclaimed since he died in 2006 and we have strong reasons to believe you are the closest living relative to deceased we can find due to last name (Surname).

You may unknowingly be the heir of this person who died without leaving a will (intestate). Due to this same surname, We will conduct a probate research to prove your entitlement, and can submit a claim on your behalf, all at no risk to yourselves.

Our service fee of 20% will be paid to us after you have received the fund successfully in your bank account.

The estate/fund transfer process should take just a matter of days as we have the mechanism and expertise to get this done very quickly. This message may come to you as a shock; however we hope to work with you in good faith to transfer the said inheritance fund to you as quickly as possible.

Feel free to email me Via my private email as stated here
( moffcial667@gmail.com ) only for further discussions.

With warm regards,

Mr. Williams B.S. Craig, CEO.
Williams & Wood Ltd

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam