419 scam: "Akinwumi Adesina" <epic@freeway.com> YOUR FUNDS WILL BE RELEASED TO YOU IMMEDIATELY

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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:
- "huge sum of money" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Akinwumi Adesina" <epic@freeway.com>
Reply-To: president.adb1@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 01 Mar 2018 12:21:07 -0300
Subject: YOUR FUNDS WILL BE RELEASED TO YOU IMMEDIATELY

Attention Beneficiary, I am Mr. Adesina A. Akinwunmi.The Newly Elected Pres=
ident, African Development Bank Group. This is to bring to your notice that=
my office has taken over all the money transactions originated from any pa=
rt of Africa, Asia and European countries as contract payment, Fund Inherit=
ance or Lottery Winning due to Unauthorized/incapability of financial Insti=
tutions/security companies in releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud=
, terrorism and money Laundry activities going on world wide. The World Ban=
k Group has Mandated the African Development Bank (ADB) via my Office to re=
lease funds to beneficiaries through a means preferable by the beneficiary,=
Hence Your Name appears as one of The fund beneficiaries whom their fund w=
as successfully cleared for payment. Your money will be released to you thr=
ough any means preferable by you either by the below options. (1) Payment t=
hrough Delivery of ATM CARD (2) Through Bank to Bank wire transfer to avoid=
paying excess charges. You are requested to re-confirm the below informati=
on proving you the bonafide beneficiary. (1.) Your Full Name: (2.) Your Res=
idential Address: (3.) Your Direct Phone Number: (4.) Occupation: Yours fai=
thfully, Mr. Adesina A. Akinwunmi. Email: africandevelopmentbankplc07@gmail=
.com President, African Development Bank Group.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam