419 scam: "Richard Cullen" <s214321509@nmmu.ac.za> I approach you for 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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
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.
- mrrichardcullen45@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Richard Cullen" <s214321509@nmmu.ac.za>
Reply-To: mrrichardcullen45@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2017 06:35:43 +0200
Subject: I approach you for assistance

Dear Friend,

It is with trust and sincerity that I approach you for assistance to transfer some funds into your bank account. Please do accept my apology if my mail infringes on your personal ethics. My name is Richard Cullen, a Private attorney based here in Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa. Honestly it will be my humble pleasure if we can work together.

I would like you to act as the next of kin to my deceased client Mr. Glenn Warrington, an American citizen who made a deposit of $23.5 million with a Bank here in Johannesburg. He died in car accident with his immediate family on On the 20th of November 2005. without any registered next of kin. Several efforts were made to find his extended family through your embassy without success.

I have received official letter from the bank suggesting a likely proceeding for confiscation of the Fund in line with existing laws by the bank in which my client deposited the sum of $23.5 Million Dollars . According to the Government Law here , at the expiration of 10 years the fund will revert to the ownership of the South African Government, if nobody applies to claim the fund.

My proposition to you is to present you to the bank as the Next of kin to my late client so that the bank will pay this $23.5 million to you as his beneficiary so that we can share the amount on a mutually agreed percentage of 60% for me 40% for you.

All legal documents to back up your claim will be provided by me. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I will also guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law here or in your country.

If you are interested in this transactions, Please do contact me so that I can give you comprehensive details on how to proceed.Your immediate response will be highly appreciated.,

Regards and God bless

Advocate Richard Cullen
Principal attorney: Richard & Co Associates.
126 Nelson Mandela Avenue,Johannesburg
Republic Of South Africa
Direct Telephone: 002 784 769 2658
Fax: 002 786 566 6786
Email mrrichardcullen45@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam