419 scam: "Mr.Albert Frank"<091868366447@mail.sk> 16/12/2013

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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.

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "necessary legal documents" (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. )
- "million dollars" (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 next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Albert Frank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <2351709468@qq.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2013 23:26:23 +0100
Subject: 16/12/2013

DEAR FRIEND,

I AM MR.ALBERT FRANK ,THE PERSONAL ATTORNEY TO MR.JIM CRUZ,A CONSULTANT WITH AN OIL COMPANY HERE IN NIGERIA WHO DIED WITH HIS WIFE IN AN AUTO CRASH ACCIDENT ON THE 25TH OF JANUARY 2009.SINCE THEN I HAVE MADE SEVERAL CONTACTS AS TO LOCATE ANY OF HIS EXTENDED RELATIVES, BUT ALL PROVED ABORTIVE.HENCE I DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU.

I AM CONTACTING YOU TO ASSIST RETRIEVE THE MONEY VALUED AT US$22.5 MILLION DOLLARS THAT WAS LEFT BEHIND BY MY CLIENT WITH THE SPRING BANK NIGERIA PLC BEFORE IT GETS CONFISCATED BY THE BANK.THE BANK ISSUED ME A NOTICE TO PROVIDE THE NEXT OF KIN OR HAVE THE ACCOUNT CONFISCATED WITHIN TEN BANKING DAYS.I HEREBY SEEK YOUR CONSENT TO ACT AS THE NEXT OF KIN TO THE DECEASED, THE PROCEEDS OF THIS ACCOUNT CAN BE PAID TO YOU AND THEN YOU AND I CAN SHARE THE MONEY 50/50.I HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY LEGAL DOCUMENTS THAT CAN BE USED TO BACK UP THIS PROJECT.

SHOULD YOU BE INTERESTED,FURNISH ME WITH YOUR DIRECT CELL PHONE NUMBERS FOR ORAL CONVERSATION AFTER WHICH I WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH MORE DETAILS OF THIS TRANSACTION AND HOW TO PROCEED.

YOURS SINCERELY,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam