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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Francis Dube" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <francaisdube001@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 22:29:13 +0300
Subject: Attn: Your Reply 18-08-14

I apologize if the contents hereunder are contrary to your moral ethics.
But please treat with absolute secrecy and confidentiality.
 
I am Mr. Francis Dube the Personal Relation Officer at Rand Merchant Bank
to the deceased. On May 12, 2010, one of our esteemed clients Mr. Andrew
Stapleton made a numbered time (Fixed Deposit) for twelve calendar months
in my Bank since August 2009. Upon maturity, we sent a usual notice to his
known address but got no answer.
 
After a month we sent a reminder and finally we discovered that he went on
a vacation with his family to Libya and unfortunately they were aboard the
An Afriqiyah Airways A330-200 Airbus crashed in Libya, killing 103 people
as it tried to land at Tripoli airport See the below link for more news
about the air crash:
 
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64B1GC20100512
 
On additional inquisition, the Bank discovered that he died without making
a WILL or PROBATE and all efforts made to locate any of his extended
relatives proved fruitless. On further inquest, it was discovered that
late Mr. Andrew Stapleton did not state any next of kin in all his
official documents.
 
The total sum of US$9.5M still in my bank and the interest is being rolled
over with the principal sum at the end of each fiscal year. No one would
ever come forward to claim this money.
In accordance with the Financial Services Authority Guiding Principles,
the account would be declared fallow and the proceeds would be revert to
the possession of the South African Government if nobody applies as the
beneficiary to the funds.
 
 
On this note, I wish to invite you as a foreigner to stand in as the next
of kin to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account will be
released to you for us to share as similar chances do arise in the Bank
and it’s only the Top Executives that siphon such funds for their own
aggrandizement.
 
Upon your acceptance of this proposition I shall give you comprehensive
information on how this venture would be accomplished without any hitch.
 
Moreover, we shall employ the services of a notary here for the purpose of
procuring a letter of probate and to obtain all other pertinent documents
in your name for the requisite documentation for immediate approval of
this fund to your favour.
 
The money would be shared in the ratio of: Fifty percent for me, forty
five percent for you and five percent for any arising contingencies during
the course of this transaction.
 
I pledged that this venture would be accomplished under a justifiable pact
that will protect you from any legal trouble and I will use my significant
influence in the bank to secure approvals and guarantee the successful
completion of this transaction.
 
Please be informed that your extreme discretion is required. If this
proposition interests you, kindly reply me directly by email and indicate
your readiness and willingness to finalize this transaction with me.
 
Equally email me with your full name, your address, year of birth, your
contact telephone and fax numbers.
 
Upon receipt of your positive response with the requested information, I
will start the preliminary arrangements and also draft an Application
letter you will endorse and send it officially to my Bank to enable them
star Administrative Processing and Approval in your favour.
 
Thanks for your time as I look forward to your timely and positive reply.
 
Respectfully yours,
 
Mr. Francis Dube

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