419 scam: Melissa =?utf-8?Q?Fran=C3=A7ois?= <furumiya.@oak.ocn.ne.jp> Your Urgent Help is 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:

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. )
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a orphan 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.
- melissaf21@inbox.ru (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Melissa =?utf-8?Q?Fran=C3=A7ois?= <furumiya.@oak.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Melissa =?utf-8?Q?Fran=C3=A7ois?= <melissaf21@inbox.ru>
Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2016 14:44:52 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Your Urgent Help is needed

Dear Sir/madam.

I am very sorry to disturb your peace but I have no option than to do it here,My name is Melissa FranÃ§ois,I am the only Daughter of my late parents Mr and Mrs Nelson FranÃ§ois. My father was a politician and a highly reputable business magnet who operated in the Largest City of Benin Republic,Cotonou, during his days. It is said to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad on the 12th September 2009. Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by his uncle who traveled with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 6yrs old and since then my father took me so special.

Before his travel to France which led to his sudden death on September 2009, he called me and informed me that he has the sum of Five Million Seven Hundred thousand United State Dollars.(USD$5,700,000.00)left in fixed deposit account in one of the leading bank in this Country, He further told me that he deposited the money in my name, and also gave me all the necessary legal documents to this fund with the bank. I am just 21 years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do.

Now I want an account overseas where I can transfer this funds and after the transaction I will come and reside permanently in your country till such a time that it will be convenience for me to return back home if I so desire. This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis in this Country. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. I also want to invest the fund under your care because I am ignorant of business world.

I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask these few questions:

1. Can you honestly help me from your heart?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the money is in your account?

Please, consider this and get back to me as soon as possible. Immediately I confirm your willingness, I will give you more details about this matter. Here is my email ( melissaf21@inbox.ru)

Kind Regards,
Helpless Mellissa

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam