419 scam: MR CHARLES FRANK <info_shell@niggovt.org> NEXT OF KIN (CAN YOU HELP OR ASSIST IN ANYWAY??)

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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 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. )
- "huge deposit" (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)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 2347032177019
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.
- charlesfrank65@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: MR CHARLES FRANK <info_shell@niggovt.org>
Reply-To: charlesfrank65@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 08:20:11 -0400
Subject: NEXT OF KIN (CAN YOU HELP OR ASSIST IN ANYWAY??)

BARR. CHARLES FRANK ESQ.
LAW OFFICES OF: WILLIAMS & ASSOCIATES,
HAVANA PEACE COTTAGE,
APAPA, LAGOS NIGERIA.
TEL: 234-70-32177019
PLEASE REPLY VIA...... E-MAIL:charlesfrank65@yahoo.com

My Dear Friend,

I am Charles Frank, I am the personal solicitor to MR.Markus Andrew a national of your country, who used to work with Shell Petroleum Development Company Plc. in Nigeria, hereinafter referred to as my client. On the 21st of August, 2006, my client, his wife and their children were involved in a fatal motor accident along Lagos-Sagamu expressway and they all lost their lives.

Since then, l have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but all proved unsuccessful, hence my contacting you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my client before they got confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.

The UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC, where the deceased had an account valued at about FIVE MILLION, THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS (US$5,300,000.00) has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next (15) official working days following the Government announcement for declaration of assets. Since l have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2years now seek your consent to present you as THE NEXT OF KIN of the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued at (US$12.3M) can be paid to any account you will nominate,then you and me can share the money. 60% to me and 40% to you.

I will procure all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up the claims. All l require is your honest co-operation to enable us finalize this deal. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate agreement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Let me have your reply as soon as possible. With the following data in order to start the processing of all classified documents in your name as full assignor to late Client.

1. Full names and address to be used for the operation.
2. Your working telephone and fax number.
3. Any kind of identification to prove your name right.

This is the first step to follow and all documents of claims will be forwarded for clearance. Let me have your concern in this matter soonest, if you are willing to work with me in good faith.

Sincerely,
Charles Frank.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam