419 scam: "Wayne" <t_sfry@optusnet.com> Read carefully

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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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Wayne" <t_sfry@optusnet.com>
Reply-To: hhfgfhddffd@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2023 15:45:20 -0700
Subject: Read carefully

Please be advised that the World Bank Group's Board of Executive Directors has reopened our services to beneficiaries on a project to offer cash assistance to 100,000 vulnerable households, including those who just lost their source of income due to the pandemic. We are fully aware that a large number of beneficiaries may have passed away due to the pandemic, making it impossible for them to claim their pending funds.

The World Bank Auditors selected Bank of America to deliver such payments to the relevant recipients. The World Bank auditors have additionally given their consent for each beneficiary to receive a percentage of the total fund's US$ 5,500,000.00 as part payment. Therefore, if you are still alive, we ask that you contact us and send us all of your information, including;

Your full name,
Complete home and office Address,
Phone number and Occupation.

The only thing we will do is re-validate your file, making it more authentic and adding it to the list of files that will be paid. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to get your money. We appreciate your anticipated cooperation. Your prompt response is essential for us to start the transfer.

Yours faithfully,
Mr. W. S. Cleveland

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam