419 scam: "Robert Smith"<garry_hard@yahoo.com> Fruition Project

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Robert Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <robertsmith00@yandex.ru>
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:30:53 +0800
Subject: Fruition Project

Dear Friend,

I am Robert Smith, The Manager of Midland Bank (HSBC) London Branch here in the United kingdom. I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you. On June 6th, 2001, a Chinese business man, Mr. CHOW LIU, deposited in his personal safety deposit vault currency valued at 7,500,000.00 (Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand British Pound Sterling) in my branch. Upon expiration of the period of leasehold of his safety deposit vault. Two years ago, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply.

Some months ago, a reminder was sent and finally it was discovered he had passed away.On further investigation, it was discovered that he did not leave a WILL and all attempts to trace his next of kin were fruitless. Further investigations revealed that Mr. CHOW LIU did not declare any next-of- kin in all his official documents in my bank. This sum of 7,500,000.00 is still in the Vault which was opened and the keys changed upon the expiration of the period of leasehold by my bank but i have them with me.Consequently, my proposal is that myself and my clients will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to Mr. CHOW LIU. This is simple.

I will like you to provide me immediately with your Full Names and Address/Phone & Fax Numbers so that by virtue of my position as the manager and with the work of an attorney the necessary documents and affidavits will be prepare, which will put you in place as the next of kin.
The attorney shall do the drafting and notarization of the WILL and obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your favour for the transfer of the funds to you. The funds will be shared in the ratio of 60% for me 40% for you, I hope that is okay by you?.

There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by an attorney and my position as the Branch Manager guarantees the successful execution of this transaction. If you are interested, please reply immediately via email. If on the other hand you are not
interested please disregard this mail and I will not contact you again.

Upon your response, I shall then provide you with my phone number, more details of the transaction and the relevant documents that will help you understand. Please observe utmost confidentiality and be rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for all of us.

Regards,
DR.ROBERT SMITH.

Anti-fraud resources:

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