419 scam: "Francisco Rives" <eap2@alfred.edu> Kind Regards.

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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "account opening" (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. )
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
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.
- franciscorives505@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: jorgempozuelo505@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 06 Nov 2016 17:41:15 +0100
Subject: Kind Regards.

Attention Sir/Madam,

I am the chief executive officer in charge of Auditing and Accounting
section of a renowned firm here in Spain. Before I discuss anything
with you, I must first apologize for this unsolicited email to you, I
am aware that this is certainly not a conventional way of approach to
establish a relationship of trust, but due to the prevailing
circumstances that is why I choose to contact you via this medium. My
names are Francisco Rives an auditor and lawyer with a
Finance/auditing firm (MJ Hayes Abogados) here in Spain.

Based on the prevailing European economic crisis with Spain as one of
the most affected countries in the Euro Zone, our firm has been
charged to audit some major banks here in Spain, in line with
government policies mergers and accounts. During my audits of accounts
and other financial transactions I discovered floating fund amounting
to the tune of Nine Million Eight Hundred Thousand Euros
(=20AC9,800.000.00) equivalent to Eleven Million two hundred thousand
Dollars ($11,200.000.00) in a dormant account, this said account has
been dormant since the year 2004 after the death of the true owner of
the funds.

Upon my discovery of the above, I requested for the account opening
file, which was dully perused and all efforts to contact the next of
kin or family relation to the deceased person has proved abortive.
Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you to
stand as the next of kin/benefactor to the depositor/account owner, if
I have your consent and by virtue of my position can facilitate the
release of the funds to you. As a seasoned auditor I have done
extensive research thus can guarantees that this process is 100%
viable with no risk involved as according to existing financial Laws
here in the kingdom of Spain which implies that upon conclusion of
this audit process and nobody applies to claim the funds it will be
reverted to the ownership of the Government.

Feel free to give your own opinion on this transaction. Indicate your
willingness to pursue this process or not by contacting via any of my
Contact details enlisted below for further
details.(franciscorives505@gmail.com)

Kind Regards,

Francisco Rives

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam