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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Frank Vernon" <k.kunal@iiitdmj.ac.in>
Reply-To: frank_vernon77@yahoo.com.sg
Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2016 20:37:41 +0530
Subject: Hello

Greetings to you,

Do not despair at my sudden contact, there is a business proposal that I
want to initiate with you, and I demand that you can handle this proposal
with a serious mind, as it requires utmost urgency and attention. I am
FRANK VERNON, I trained and work as an external auditor for Bank of
Scotland. I Work as part of a bigger team that covers the entire Scotland
and England region. I know that this message will come to you as a
surprise. I have taken pains to find your contact through personal
endeavors, and as a matter of fact I will like to draw your attention to
this beneficial matter.

On routine audit check last month, I discovered some investment accounts
that have been dormant for the last fourteen (14) years, all the accounts
belonging to a single holder with monies totaling a little above
(41,100,000.00) Forty-one Million One Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars.

Banking regulation in the UK demands that the fiscal authorities are
notified when accounts are dormant for this period, so that the funds can
be called in by the regulatory bodies.

The above set of facts underscores my reason of writing and making the
following proposal.

My investigations of the said account reveals that the investor died in
1997 the exact time the account was last operated, I can confirm with
certainty that the said investor died intestate and no next of kin has
been found or has come forward all these years. I am of the settled
conviction that using my insider leverage and working with you, we can
secure the funds instead of allowing it pass as an unclaimed fund into the
coffers of the UK Government. This is especially possible as you bear the
same LAST NAME to the said investor, and can stand as his extended
relative. This exactly is why I crave your participation and co-operation.

I have seized all relevant documents (Legal and Banking) including access
to the very account of the deceased. This will facilitate my putting you
forward as the claimant/beneficiary of the funds and ultimately transfer
the money to any account nominated by you. You shall be rewarded for your
part in this transaction with 40% of the total funds for your efforts, 5%
will be set aside for expenses that will be incurred by both parties
during the course of this transaction, less any expenses. I shall however
leave out the final details of this transaction till I receive an
affirmation of your desire to participate.

Be assured that I am on top of the situation. There will be no risk
involved whatsoever if you agree to come on board. Needless to say, UTMOST
CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the
immense benefits of this transaction. I guarantee that the transaction
will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect us from
any breach of law.

To affirm your willingness and cooperation to my proposal please contact
me through this email stating the followings:-

1. Your first name
2. Last name
3. Your full address
4. Your precise confidential telephone and fax number
5. Your date of birth
6. Your occupation

I hope that you will not expose or betray this trust and confident that I
am about to repose on you for the mutual benefit of our both families.
Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Mr. Frank Vernon
frank_vernon7@yahoo.co.uk

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