419 scam: "Official Request" <officialalert@workmail.com> Attention

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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)
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- ",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)
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.
- kevin_waldner@rocketmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Official Request" <officialalert@workmail.com>
Reply-To: kevin_waldner@rocketmail.com
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 07:18:03 -0500
Subject: Attention

Dear Sir/Madam

My name is Kevin Waldner, A Chartered Management Accountant and an
External Auditor for financial institutes in England. I currently work
with a team of external auditors who are retained to audit financial
activities in the entire British Isles.

I may have to trouble your sense of personal achievement and reward for an
opportunity properly taken advantage of. In the course of a routine audit
of our books last quarter, I discovered some investment accounts that have
been dormant for over eleven years. Most of the accounts belong to a
single beneficiary. I wish to notify you again that you were listed as a
beneficiary to the total sum of $4,500,000.00 (Four million five hundred
thousand united states dollars)in the intent of the deceased depositor who
died intestate and as such, no next-of-kin has come forward all these
years to lay claim to the investment.( Names now withheld for security
reasons ) Since this is our second letter to you.

We contacted you because you bear the same last name with the deceased
investor/depositor and therefore we can present you as the beneficiary to
the inheritance since there is no written will from our late investor. Our
services aim to provide you with a complete service as we are prepared to
provide you with all the documents required by the holding Bank to enable
them release this inheritance funds to you . we can secure the funds in
this bank account for ourselves instead of allowing it transmit as
“unclaimed funds” into the Treasury of the Government of the United
Kingdom.

All the papers work required will be processed in your acceptance of this
deal as we are prepared to offer you 40%,50% for us,while 10% should be
given to any Orphanage Home.

we request that you kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance via
email.(kevin_waldner@rocketmail.com)

Your prompt response is highly imperative.

Yours sincerely,

Mr.Kevin Waldner

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam