419 scam: test@test.com Dear Friend Lets talk (very important)

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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
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.
- officemai774@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: test@test.com
Reply-To: officemai774@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2017 11:43:54 -0700
Subject: Dear Friend Lets talk (very important)

Dear Friend.

Re: I Need Your Sincere Assistance and Cooperation

I have tried to reach you but finally I have your Google plus address from a search. I am Mr. Wilfred Kings, a Bank Officer here in Nigeria I believe it is the wish of God for me to come across you . I am having an important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you, because it is in connection with your last name and you are going to benefit from it.

A citizen of your country Egnr.. Brain had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2005 for 108 calendar months, valued at US$18,500,000.00 (Eighteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) the due date for this deposit contract was last 22nd of January 2014. Sadly he died before this date, he was among the death victims in the May 11 2007 fatal accident in Ghana involving seven vehicles near Awutu-Effutu-Senya district in the Central Region of Accra where thirty-five people were killed on the spot. during an official business trip Read article;

My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because he was my friend and I was his account officer. Sadly He did not mention/list any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and he was not married and no children. Last month my Bank Management requested that he should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract or not. I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happens to know that he is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the funds for their personal use, so I don't want such to happen.

That was why when I saw your profile I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, since you have the same last name with him and my bank head correspondence head office in The United States will release the proceed to you. There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. It is better that we claim the money for possible investment in your country allowing the Bank Directors to take it or return it to the bank treasury, I am not a greedy person,

so I am suggesting we go into investment in your country or we share the funds equal, 40/40 to both parties, 20% to take care of any expenses incurred during the processing of the transfer to your account, my share will assist me to invest in your country which has been my dream. Let me know your mind set and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response, strictly through my personal email address only as stated here ( officemai774@gmail.com ) pls note respond via this email only.

Have a nice day and God bless. Anticipating your communication.

Best Regards
Wilfred Kings

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam