419 scam: "MRS VICTORIA OBOROCHI" <victoria.oborochi@gmail.com> Strictly Personal

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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:
- "million united states 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)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS VICTORIA OBOROCHI" <victoria.oborochi@gmail.com>
Reply-To: victoria.oborochi01@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:40:13 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Strictly Personal

Strictly Personal,

I have a proposal for you - this however is not mandatory nor will I in
any manner compel you to honour against your will. I work with the African
Development Bank In Cotonou, Benin Republic of West Africa. Here in this
bank existed a dormant account for the past 12 years which belongs to an
American national who is now late with the wife (Mr.Raymond Beck & Mrs.
Dorene Beck) They died on Egypt Air Flight 990
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/502503.stm They had no child
till death.
When I discovered that there had been no deposits nor withdrawals from
this account for this long period, I decided to carry out a system
investigation and discovered that non of the family members nor relations
of the late person is aware of this account. Now I want to insert your
name as a business partner/next of kin to the late customer in our files,
so that you can comfortably apply for claim of the funds.
The amount at the moment plus all the accumulated interest, the balance in
this account stands at-(35 Million United States Dollars). After the
transfer of the funds to your bank account you shall be entitled to 40% of
the total funds. The rest would be given to me when I come to your
country.
Finally, it is my humble prayer that the information as contained herein
be accorded the
necessary attention, urgency as well as the secrecy it deserves. I Expect
your urgent response if you can handle this project.

Call me at this direct line 00 229 97 017443, after sending a mail for
confirmation.

Respectfully yours,
MRS VICTORIA OBOROCHI

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam