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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: "Vincent Zulu Esq" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zvincentesq@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2017 09:01:49 -0430
Subject: Please I need your urgent assistance (From Mr. Vincent)

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 2014 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 in 2014.
 
I have details to transfer this 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 35% for you and 5% for Charity (To the less privilege)  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. This money is ready to be paid and now the bank wants me to present someone as the Next of Kin to my client and they will pay out the funds to him/her without any delay.
 
Regards,
 
Mr. Vincent Zulu Esq. (Attorney to the deceased)
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
APPROVAL LETTER TO MY LATE CLIENT:
 
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 days 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$52,900,000.00 (Fifty Two Million Nine Hundred Thousand 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
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above letter was sent to my client. The truth is that my late client did not instruct anyone to claim the funds which means that some criminals are trying to claim the funds and I am the only one as my client’s attorney is has the right to nominate his Next of Kin who the bank said must be a foreigner. 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 which the bank assured us will be completed within 3 working days. I await your urgent response. Mr. Vincent Zulu Esq.
 
 

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