419 scam: "Mr. Gilbert Smith"<mr.cashbert@gmail.com> MY PROPOSAL WILL BE OF BENEFIT TO YOU-PLEASE, READ AND RESPOND

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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)
- ",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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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.
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.
- mr.cashbert@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Gilbert Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.cashbert@yahoo.com.cn>
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2011 19:48:44 -0400
Subject: MY PROPOSAL WILL BE OF BENEFIT TO YOU-PLEASE, READ AND RESPOND

YORKSHIRE BANK
30 St Vincent Place,
Glasgow,
G1 2HL

Dear Friend,
Having obtained your contact from the internet that you have been doing all what is necessary to deserve trust, coupled with my deep interest to invest in your country, I decided to contact and solicit your mutual assistance at all cost.

I am Mr. Gilbert Smith, Branch Manager, Yorkshire Banking Corporation London. On January 6th 2009, one Mr. Claude Brian Best, an American National,a consultant/contractor with Gardiner & Theobald,a leading firm of project and cost management consultants, made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit, valued at £9,500,000.00(Nine Million,Five Hundred Thousand Pounds) for twelve calender months in my Bank Branch. Upon Maturity, we sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract employers (Gardiner & Theobald) that Mr. Claude Brian Best died from an automobile accident. On further investion, it was discovered that he died without making a WILL and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.

On further investigations, it was discovered that Late Mr. Claude Brian Best did not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paper work here at the Bank. The total sum, £9,500,000.00 is still in my bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one will ever come forward to claim it.

Upon acceptance of this proposal, I shall send to you the Westpac Banking Corporation "Next of Kin Payment Application Form" as well as detailed information on how this funds will be transfer into your personal bank account in your country ASAP.
We shall employ the services of a solicitor for the drafting of the LAST WILL & TESTAMENT of Late Mr. Claude Brian Best and to obtain all other relevant papers in your name for the necessary documentations for payment approval in my bank headquarters in your favor.
The money will be shared in the ratio:
Sixty percent for me, thirty five percent for you and five percent for any arising contingencies during the course of this transaction.

I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law as I will use my position as the Bank's Branch Manager to secure approvals and guarantee the successful execution of this transaction.
Please be informed that your utmost confidentiality is required.
If this interests you, please reply me immediately via the private email address below and please include your private telephone number for voice contact and fax number so I can provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction.

Email:<mr.cashbert@gmail.com >
Awaiting your urgent reply.
Thanks.
Best regards,
Mr. Gilbert Smith

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