419 scam: "VAN D. MUNNIK"<advocatevanmunnik@gmail.com> LEGITIMATE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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. )
- "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)
- ",000,000" (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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +27781687389 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
- +27865375226 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- advocatevanmunik@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "VAN D. MUNNIK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <advocatevanmunik@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 02:33:02 -0800
Subject: LEGITIMATE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

TEL: +27 78 168 7389
FAX: +27 86 537 5226
EMAIL: advocatevanmunik@gmail.com

FROM: HON. VAN D. MUNNIK (BA.LLB)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Advocate Van D. Munnik of the above law firm and the legal adviser to Late Abu Bakr Younus Jabr, a national of Libya who was the chief of Late Gaddafi’s armed forces hereinafter shall be referred to as my client. There is absolutely going to be a great doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this letter coupled with the fact that, so many individuals have taken possession of the internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business class persons to get attention and recognition. There is no way for me to know whether I will be properly understood, but it is my duty to write and reach out to you as a person based on great fidelity and trust. Your contact is by a courtesy of my good friend who was a member of South African Export Promotion Council (SAEPC) in Johannesburg.

On October 20, 2011 my client, was killed by Libyan revolutionary fighters opposing Gaddafi’s regime in Sirte, I now decided to inform you, hence I contacted you. I have send you this letter to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the finance institution, where the deceased had an account valued at about US$28,000.000 (Twenty Eight Million United States Dollars Only) the finance institution has issued me a notice to provide the beneficiary or the next of kin or have the account confiscated. The amount in question was personally deposited by me with a different name as the depositor as instructed by my late client due to the fact that the fund was meant for purchase of arms in South Africa because of the war between the government forces and the rebels in Libya then.

I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the fund so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$28,000,000.00 (Twenty Eight Million, United States Dollars Only) can be transferred into your designated account. Meanwhile, you will be required here in (South Africa) for brief discussion and to endorse your signature on some of the documents as the next of kin to the fund once the fund has been approved by the finance institution for withdrawal/transfer. Then I shall proceed down to your country with you to confirm the net amount in your account and to invest my share of the money if you permit me. If you can’t travel to South Africa I will let you know the next step to take.

I shall revalidate and notarize all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim that the finance institution may need as prove of deposit, this is a risk (100%) free transaction because the banker who is in charge of account section is involved. I will let you know the benefiting conditions of your help in my next message when I receive your positive response. I guarantee you this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Kindly call me on my phone number or send a fax message or email. Please keep this transaction confidential for security reasons. I need your strong assurance and confidentiality.

Best regards,

HON Van D. Munnik.
(ADVOCATE)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam