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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: "Michael De Wet"<smtp@smtp.com>
Reply-To: lm030888@aol.co.uk
Date: 27 Nov 2017 23:08:49 -0800
Subject: 27.11.2017 LETTER

I Michael De Wet the Personal Relation Officer at Rand Merchant
Bank to the deceased. On May 13, 2013, one of our esteemed
clients Mr. Andrew Stapleton made a numbered time (Fixed Deposit)
for twelve calendar months in my Bank . Upon maturity, we sent a
usual notice to his known address but got no answer.

After a month we sent a reminder and finally we discovered that
he went on a vacation with his family to Holland and
unfortunately they were aboard the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH 17
Airbus that crashed on 17 July 2014 after being shot down,
killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew on board.

On additional inquisition, the Bank discovered that he died
without making a WILL or PROBATE and all efforts made to locate
any of his extended relatives proved fruitless. On further
inquest, it was discovered that late Mr. Andrew Stapleton did not
state any next of kin in all his official documents.

The total sum of US$10.5M still in my bank and the interest is
being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each
fiscal year. No one would ever come forward to claim this money.
In accordance with the Financial Services Authority Guiding
Principles, the account would be declared fallow and the proceeds
would be revert to the possession of the South African Government
if nobody applies as the beneficiary to the funds.


On this note, I wish to invite you as a foreigner to stand in as
the next of kin to the deceased so that the proceeds of this
account will be released to you for us to share as similar
chances do arise in the Bank and it’s only the Top Executives
that siphon such funds for their own aggrandizement.

Upon your acceptance of this proposition I shall give you
comprehensive information on how this venture would be
accomplished without any hitch.

Moreover, we shall employ the services of a notary here for the
purpose of procuring a letter of probate and to obtain all other
pertinent documents in your name for the requisite documentation
for immediate approval of this fund to your favour.

The money would be shared in the ratio of: Seventy percent for
me, Thirty percent for you.

I pledged that this venture would be accomplished under a
justifiable pact that will protect you from any legal trouble and
I will use my significant influence in the bank to secure
approvals and guarantee the successful completion of this
transaction.

Please be informed that your extreme discretion is required. If
this proposition interests you, kindly reply me directly by email
and indicate your readiness and willingness to finalize this
transaction with me.

Equally email me with your full name, your address, year of
birth, your contact telephone and fax numbers.

Upon receipt of your positive response with the requested
information, I will start the preliminary arrangements and also
draft an Application letter you will endorse and send it
officially to my Bank to enable them star Administrative
Processing and Approval in your favour.

Thanks for your time as I look forward to your timely and
positive reply.

Respectfully yours,

Mr Michael De Wet

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