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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Vin Zulu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zvincentesq@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2016 22:07:59 -0700
Subject: Please read carefully and help me to receive this 52Million

Hello,
 
I know we do not know each other but please I need your urgent assistance
regarding the below email. The message below was sent to my client who
unfortunately died last year at the age of 84. From all indications and from
what the letter says, some people are trying to divert my client?|s funds to
another account in USA.  I suffered with my client over this inheritance of
his younger brother who died in South Africa leaving this huge amount in the
bank. He was a Gold and Diamond miner. Now the money has finally been
approved to my client Mr. Douglas Pettman Who already died at 84 years.
 
I have details to transfer the $52,000,000.00 to your name as the Next of Kin to my client
and the funds will be paid out to you within 72 hours for us to share 60%
for me and 40% for you instead of letting these criminals have this money.
Below is the letter they sent to my client which copy was sent to me as his
lawyer here in South Africa. Please get back to me immediately if you can be
trusted to receive this money for me pending when I will arrive.
 
Email me your full name, complete address, Tel & Fax also a Cell phone
number for easy contact. I shall give you more details upon your response.
Please see the letter sent to my client below. I really need your urgent
help before they divert this money.
 
Regards,
 
Mr. Vincent Zulu Esq. (Attorney to the deceased)
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Attn: Douglas J. Pettman .
Barnet, Herts.  EN4 9JX. United Kingdom.
 
Sir,
 
This is to officially notify you that your delayed Inheritance payment has
finally been approved to be paid to you within the next 48 hours. This
instruction came to our office to contact you immediately for the transfer
of your approved amount to your designated bank account without any further
delay. We have finally approved you as the final beneficiary and need you to
get back to us immediately for onward transfer of funds.
 
Just few hours ago, a man by name Mr. James Mcmillan contacted our office
informing us that you have given him instruction and authority to receive
the approved US$52,000,000.00 (Fifty Two Million US Dollars) only on your behalf.
According to him, he said that you asked him to represent you in receiving this amount.
He also forwarded an account where your funds should be transferred to immediately.
 
Here is the information he forwarded to us for your own confirmation:
 
James Mcmillan
1319. Willow Crest Dr.
Clermont, Florida. 34711. USA
M & T Bank, USA,
Beneficiary: James Mcmillan
Account #: 9839644011,
Routing #: 022000046
Bank Address: 201 W Front St, Berwick, PA 18603. USA
 
 
We want you to confirm to us immediately if you at any time instructed the
above person to receive this amount on your behalf and if no, you are
requested to immediately get back to us reconfirming your details including
your current telephone numbers.
 
Upon receipt of your confirmation, we shall immediately process your payment
and carry out your transfer within the next 48 hours after processing. If
you sent this man, do reconfirm also to enable us proceed with the payment
into the above stated account without any further delay. We will appreciate
your urgent response and confirmation as this office has been given until
seven (7) working days to carry out all approved payments or return them as
unclaimed funds. Note that the earlier you respond to this message, the
better as all modalities have been put in place for immediate payment of the
above sum.
 
Thanking you for letting us serve you better.
 
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Abel Nkulu Wilson
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Above is their letter to my client and I need you to help me in receiving
the funds urgently. This is 100% legal and risk free as I am the legal
representative of the deceased and the only one to appoint the Next of Kin.
All legal documents will also be provided to legalize this transfer. I await
your urgent response. Mr. Vincent Zulu Esq.

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