How is this stupid email a scam???

Question

Dear Friend,
Longest time, i hope all is well,if so glory be to God almighty.Well,Sorry to hear this news and understand that the fault isnt from me.I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the cooperation of a new partner in Paraguay. Presently i'm in Paraguay for investment projects with my own share of the sum.meanwhile, i didn't forget your efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring the funds despite that it failed us some how.
Now contact my secretary in Benin: Mr FRANK LEE on his e-mail address stated below:----------(franklee00045... Ask him to send you the total Amount of $800.000.00.US dollars for all the past efforts. I appreciated your efforts at that time. So feel free to get in touch with my secretary, instruct him where to send the check, and send your contact info:
NAME
HOME ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER
AGE
OCCUPATION
SEX
Please do let me know immediately if you receive it so we can rejoice with you
Regards,
BAR JOHN MIKE

So obviously I know that this is a scam... I get at least 2 of these stupid emails a day.

My question is, how do they scam you from just knowing your name address and whatever else was there. It's not like they ask for your bank account, and I'm sure that bank security wouldn't allow them to access your account with just that info. So what is the deal? Does anyone know more about this scam? How does it work?

Answer 1

When you reply, they'll say that in order to transfer the money, they need a small payement from you to help cover the legal costs in the meantime, or something else of that nature. Some people are stupid enough to send the money. Obviously, the scammer has no intention of paying them back in return.

Answer 2

There about thousand variations on this scam. A former co-worker of mine fell for one like this. They have a small online business and received a large "order" via email. They were very excited and forgot to use their brain after that. The customer insisted on paying with a cashiers check but explained that the cashiers check they were sending was going to be for $3800.00 for an order that totaled $480.00. The customer asked the co-worker to just deposit the cashiers check and overnight (to Canada) a personal check for the balance. Well, the cashiers check was a fake, but the personal check sent by the co-worker was not. Of course their personal check for $3300+ was cashed the next day. Three days later their bank notified them the cashiers check was fake and they were out $3300 and the sale.

Answer 3

This is commonly known as a 419 or Advance Fee scam. These scams often originate in Russia or Nigera. They promise you a lot of money, but you have to pay a certain amount to have it released to you. After you pay, you'll never hear from them again, and you won't be able to get your money back. More info at the link below...

Answer 4

Participate and find out.

They may be able to drain your bank account using this information.

Answer 5

I think if you reply to that and indicate that you've fallen for it, they will reply asking for more info, and eventually will ask you to wire money for "advance fees" or some such.