419 scam: <> YOUR URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED

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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:

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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "attorneys " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- +27866139987 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: <>
Reply-To: <smithdonald1313@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 2015 09:38:06 -0500
Subject: YOUR URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED

Smith & Jonathan Attorneys
556 Duncan Street
Hatfield Pretoria
South Africa.

15 Dec, 2015.

Attn: Sir/Madam,

On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Mr. Gordon Griffith, I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter was returned undelivered. I wish to notify you that late Mr. Gordon Griffith made you a beneficiary to his WILL. He left the sum of USD$8,500.000.00 (Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) to you in the codicil and last testament to his will.

This may sound strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and true. Being a widely traveled man, he must have been in contact with you in the past or simply you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends abroad who wished you good.

Mr. Gordon Griffith, until his death was a member of the Helicopter Society and the Institute of Electronic & Electrical Engineers. He was a very dedicated Christian who loved to give out. His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time. Late Mr. Gordon Griffith died on the 16th day of February 2010 at the age of 90 years and his WILL is now ready for execution. According to him, this money is to support his Christian activities (May his soul rest with the Lord) and to help the poor and needy. You can have a look at the website to have an insight of what happened;

http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/07/20/kenya.crash/index.html

Please if I reach you as I am hopeful, endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job. I hope to hear from you in no distant date. Please contact me on the above phone and fax number.

Yours sincerely,

Barrister Smith Donald
(Smith & Jonathan Attorneys)
Tell:+27604429749
Fax: +27866139987

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam