419 scam: "Cliff Hill"<cliffhill2011@gmail.com> Business Assistance

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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:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united states 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)
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "is 100% risk free" (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.
- cliffhill905@yahoo.es (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Cliff Hill" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cliffhill905@yahoo.es>
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:44:16 +0200
Subject: Business Assistance

Email: cliffhill905@yahoo.es

ATTN: SIR/MADAM

Good day and compliments of today. I know this letter might come to you as a surprise reading from an unknown person. I am Mr. Cliff Hill, a Accounting Officer here in South Africa. I got your contacts address through my private search for a reliable and reputable Business Person/individual that can handle this confidential business deal with me, which requires maximum confidence and trust from both sides.
Unfortunately one of my client who was a contractor with the South African Solid Gold Mining Company which co-incidentally shares the same last/surname with you. He passed away with his wife and the only son in an air crash disaster some years back. Upon his death nobody has laid a claim on his estate (fund) of US$26 Million (Twenty Six Million United States Dollars), unfortunately his son been the only heir died along with them in the crash, leaving a vacuum to be filled, may there soul rest in peace.

Presently, the bank were my late client deposited the fund has planned to confiscate this fund after the expiration of a certain period by invoking abandoned property act of 1936, in accordance with the financial laws of Republic of South Africa, if nobody applies to claim the fund immediately.
It is in light of this, I decided to communicate with you in consideration of the fact that you are a foreigner and also you share the same last name with my late client, knowing obviously that you are not in any way related to my late client, my intention is to enter into partnership with you to enable me present you as the beneficiary/Next of Kin of the fund. As a Proxy herein South Africa, the financial laws does not allow us directly to make a claim for these funds, but I assure you that this transaction is 100% risk free and will be conducted under a legitimate manner without any financial misconduct.

Therefore, I seek for your consent if interested, so that I can send to you more details of this business transaction and I will provide all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up your claim. Please get back in touch with me immediately if you are interested to assist me, so that I will commence work in your name. Please acknowledge the receipt of this message in acceptance of our mutual business partnership endeavor, by furnishing me with the followings: (1) Your full names (2) Your full address (3) Direct Mobile & Telephone numbers. These requirements will enable me file for letters of claim to the appropriate departments for necessary approvals in your favor.

Thanks for your noble co-operation. I await your positive response through my contacts above.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Cliff Hill

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