419 scam: "MR.KEN RICHARD" <khalidbashirat@gmail.com> REF:

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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- ",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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "MR.KEN RICHARD" <khalidbashirat@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dsinker4@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 4 May 2022 21:43:36 +0800
Subject: REF: - INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT

--
*INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND*
*website:www.imf.org <http://www.imf.org> *
*700 19th Street, N.W., *
*Washington, D.C.*

* REF: - INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR
ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF (US$15M)*

*Dear Valued Customer*

*This is the second time we are notifying you about this said fund. After
due vetting and evaluation of your Inheritance file which The National
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in conjunction with the Ministry Of Finance
Forwarded and contacted us to see to your immediate payment of the sum of
US$15,000,000.00 from their Offshore Account with us.*

*We were meant to understand from our findings that you have been going
through hard ways by paying a lot of charges to see to the release of your
fund (US$15,000,000.00), which has been delayed. Which has been the
handiwork of some miscreant elements from Nigeria and UK, We advice that
you stop further communication with any correspondence from Nigeria as you
have met up with the whole requirements, your representatives in Nigeria
will tell you to still go ahead with them but on your own risk.*

*The only thing required from you is to obtain Non-Resident Clearance
Form/Receipt which we are not asking you to pay the fee to us here in
United State as the Government of Uninted Kingdom have paid us for
handling/processing of your payment with other customers. We will help you
to see that you obtain the Non-Residential Clearance form which will cost
you the sum of ($850) so that our bank will affect immediate transfer of
your Inheritance fund sum of (US$15,000,000.00) into your designated bank
account. If you follow up our directives, your fund will reflect in your
account within five Bank working days from the day you obtain your
Non-Residential Clearance form.*

*Reconfirm the following:*
*Your Full Name: *
*Address:*
*Phone Number*
*Occupation:*
*ID CARD:*

*Do not go through anybody again if it is not our agent Barrister Cliford
Norman for your Non-Residential Clearance Certificate if you really want
your fund.*

*Head Of Operation Imf*
*Foreign Payments*
*Yours sincerely,*
*Mr. Ken Richard.*

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam