419 scam: "Francis James Oscar." <francisjoscar@verizon.net> AM HAPPY I FOUND YOU

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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 us 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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- francisjoscar@centrum.sk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Francis James Oscar." <francisjoscar@verizon.net>
Reply-To: francisjoscar@centrum.sk
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2010 09:39:21 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: AM HAPPY I FOUND YOU

Mr. Francis James Oscar (Msc, FCA, LLB)
Senior Accountant 1.
Spring Bank Plc, Rc 143186
Plot 43, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.
Lagos Nigeria.
E-mail: francisjoscar@centrum.sk
Tel: +234-1-765-3967.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Following a brutal attack by the local militants of Niger Delta states of
Nigeria on oil refineries located in Creeks of that area on the 5th of
January 2009 killing five (5) expatriate staff of the companies including
Engr. Brian Waite a national of your country and a customer with Spring
Bank plc. I was mandated by the Management of Spring Bank plc as his
accounting manager to help locate any of his close family relation to
Claim the huge amount he deposited with the bank.

Engr. Brian has in his account with Spring Bank plc before his sudden
death the sum of $4.8 million USA dollars among other properties, all
efforts to locate any of his immediate family proved abortive since he did
not reside in Nigeria with any of his immediate family, except his dog
called (Destiny) being a contractual staff with (SPDC). Having been
unsuccessful in locating the relatives for some time now, I have contacted
you to assist in Repatriating the money and properties left behind by my
client before they get confiscated or declared Unserviceable by the bank
and the insurance.

I seek your consent and cooperation to present you as the next of kin of
the deceased, over the Proceeds of this account valued at ($4.8 million US
Dollars) to be paid to you and then you and I can share the money in the
ratio of 45% to me and 45% to you, and 5% to any charity organization of
your choice, while the balance 5% will be set aside for any contingency
expenses incurred in course of this transaction.

An attorney will be contracted to help us revalidate and notarize all the
necessary legal documents that will be used to back up our claims.

All I need is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you and me from any breach of the law.

I will appreciate some measure of confidentiality till we finish the
transaction, because of my position in the bank.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Francis James Oscar.(for Mrs. Sola Ayodele group managing director s/b)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam