419 scam: "Mr. Steven Dwell" <stdw@elteza.ru> Attention: Beneficiary,

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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Steven Dwell" <stdw@elteza.ru>
Reply-To: ehnbankofficer@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2020 02:24:02 -0700
Subject: Attention: Beneficiary,

Attention: Beneficiary,

My name is Mr Steven Dwell the Regional Accounts Officer EH National Bank, California. I received a letter of change of ownership today from one Mr Kerri V. Dean of #1201 Patterson Ave. #25 Earle, AR 72331 Arkansas, USA,that your unclaimed fund worth (USD $4,500,000.00) approved by the U.S Department of Treasury, should now be paid into this bank account bearing his name.

Account Name: Mr Kerri V. Dean
Receivers Account #:1000074550764
Route #: 061000104/Ach Code: SNTRUS34

It is stated in the said letter that you are now dead or late and he is your next of kin, he went further to state that you indeed signed an agreement with him (Mr Kerri V. Dean) to be your beneficiary before your untimely death after a long protracted illness of Coronavirus.

He did not provide any power of attorney from a well respected Public Notary ie (chambers or an attorney) which will prove and support his claims. I therefore asked him to come back next week and this was to enable me buy more time to try and see if i can get in contact with you to verify how genuine his claims are and if indeed it was with your consent.And if after seven working days, no response is received from you, it will be assumed or presumed that indeed you are dead and as such authorization and approval will be granted on your behalf to him Mr Kerri v. Dean to claim/receive your fund.

But if you are well and alive please then confirm on receipts of this letter as soon as possible.

Waiting to hear from you immediately.

Best Regards,

Mr. Steven Dwell
Regional Accounts Officer
EH National Bank

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam