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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: "Adam.Middleton@Consultant Firm" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <adam.middleton1@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2014 17:20:05 +0200
Subject: CONTACT US

Re: Asset Bequest to You.

My name is Adam Middleton, and I am an Independent Legal and Financial Expert. I specialize in legal Soliciting and Financial Consultancy.

In the process of carrying out a routine financial review exercise with an Investment Company (Standard Life Investment Trust), I came across my late client's file that revealed a form he signed and which has your name as his next of kin. This file contains a certificate for a convertible bond deposit he made with the aforementioned Investment Company, and which was traded over the years with different Asset Managers to yield a high net present value.

However, in 2000, my late client contacted me for legal advice regarding a business transaction between him and Standard Life Investment Trust. He notified me that he had a financial portfolio of 9,800,000Euros which he desired to invest with this company. Therefore, I agreed to represent his interest. After various meetings, I carried out a feasibility study, including; assessment of high yield opportunities; operational risks; etc.This eventually paid off immensely.I can confirm that the current value of this investment is around 15,000,000Euros. But due to his demise, it has not been paid out by the Investment Company. Moreover, following my inquiry, they have insisted that no one has come forward to make claim of this investment. Permit me to add that my late client relied on my professionalism for advice and duly appointed me as his executor.
In view of this, I have decided to carry out a search at my own discretion.Hence, I am prepared to place you in a position wherein the funds could be released to you as his only surviving relative, as I have the authority to do this. In any case, I will ensure that everything will be done legally and professionally, but the need for confidentiality in this matter cannot be overemphasized, owing to the fact that Inheritance matters are very sensitive.

Kindly send me your contact details in your response to this letter and please keep the contents of this e-mail private

Sincerely,

Mr. Adam Middleton.

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