419 scam: "Mr. Dennis Babatunde"<mr.dennisbabatunde@fidelitybankplc.com> Attention: Officially Needed.

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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 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.
- +2348022633835 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.dennisbabatunde993@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Dennis Babatunde" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.dennisbabatunde@yahoo.cn>
Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:10:52 -0800
Subject: Attention: Officially Needed.

MR. DENNIS BABATUNDE (Msc, MBA, FCA)
Senior Controller, Customers Service.
FIDELITY BANK PLC, RC 103022.
1, Fidelity Bank Close, off kofo Abayomi Street Victoria Island .
Lagos Nigeria ,
E-mail: mr.dennisbabatunde993@gmail.com
Cell: +234-802-263-3835
Date: 10th February 2012

Dear Sir/Madam,

On the 5th of January 2009 a gang of Niger Delta militants attacked and bombed oil refineries/ fields located on the Creeks of that region killing four (4) expatriate staff and 10 local staff of the company including Engr. Matthew Hunt a customer with Fidelity Bank plc.Conseqently I was mandated by the Management of my bank as his account service controller to help locate any of his close family relation to Claim the money he deposited with the bank.

Mr.Hunt has in his account with Fidelity Bank plc before his sudden death the sum of $30.6 million USA dollars among other personal effects, including a life assurance policy worth $1.2 million insured with American International Insurance Company's African regional office in Nigeria (AIICO), all efforts to locate any of his immediate family proved abortive since he did not reside in Nigeria with any of his immediate family being a contractual staff with shall petroleum development company (SPDC) except his dog called foster.

Having been unsuccessful in locating any of his relatives this past periods mostly as his 4 ( four) years contact is due to expire very soon , I decided to contact 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 to the deceased, over the Proceeds of this account valued at ($30.6 million US Dollars) to be paid to you and then you and I can share the money in the ratio of 48% to me and 47% to you, while the balance 5% will be set aside for any contingency expenses in course of this transaction.

An attorney will be contracted to assist 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 until we finish the transaction, because of my position in the bank.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Dennis Babatunde

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam