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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Lee Osmond" (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2011 02:16:54 -0700
Subject: From: Mr. Lee Osmond

From: Mr. Lee Osmond
Tel No: +60 1029 0 7745
E-Mail: lee_osmond1@dr.com

Goodday to you,

My name is Lee Osmond (F.B.M.E Director). I'm also trained and work as an auditor for the Barclays Bank, working as part of a bigger team that covers the entire region. I have taken pain to find your contact using the deceased’s last name.

On routine audit check last year, I discovered some investment accounts that have been dormant for at least twelve years. All the accounts belong to a single/one account holder with totalling monies Thirty Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$32,500,000.00). Now banking regulation/legislation in United State of America demands that I do notify the fiscal authorities after a statutory time span of twelve years when dormant accounts of this type are called in by the United State Monetary Regulatory bodies.

The above set of facts underscores my reason of writing and proposing to you. My investigation of the said account reveals that the investor, a American national who died in 1995 which was the exact time the account was last operated. I can confirm with certainty that the said investor died interstate and no next of kin to his estate has been found or has come forward all these years.

I am of the settled conviction that using my insider leverage, working with you can secure the funds in the account for us instead of allowing it pass as unclaimed funds into the coffers of the Government of the Malaysia. This is possible as you share the same last name with the said investor. This is exactly why I crave your participation and co-operation. I am seized with all relevant documents (legal and Banking) that will facilitate our putting you forward as the claimant/beneficiary of the funds and ultimately transfer the money to an account to be nominated by you.

I shall leave out the further details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate. Be rest assured that I am on top of this situation all the time and there will be a no risk whatsoever if you elect to come on board. Needless to say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction.
Above are written telephone and email contacts that you may reach me on.

I do expect your prompt response.

Yours truly,
LEE OSMOND

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