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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. RICHARDS JOE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <joe@bescoinc.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2022 00:15:28 -0700
Subject: Top Urgent and Confidential Proposal.

Dear friend,

Though, this medium (Internet) has been greatly abused, I choose to reach you through it because it still remains the fastest, surest and most secured medium of communication. Take note that this correspondence is purely private, and it should be treated with utmost confidentiality. This transaction is risk-free and realistic success is 100% guaranteed. I am the Chief Risk Officer and Director of Legal Approvals on Financial Audits at the Foreign Remittance Department of NATIONWIDE BANK UK. During the last annual financial audits, we discovered a floating sum of US$47Million (Forty Seven Million USDollars) in an escrow account of deceased Oil Magnate from Saudi Arabia.

The next of kin on file had died few weeks before his demise, hence nobody is available to receive the Funds. This information requires urgent action because in accordance with ICC regulations, the $47M USD must be remitted this month, otherwise, it will be declared bona-vacantia and revert to government's treasury as unclaimed funds. It has become imperative that I present you as the next of kin, and put of claims in your name. Yes, I will use my position as Chief Legal Director to endorse and authorize the remittance of the Funds into your own account as the approved beneficiary. Obviously, the Funds continues to float unless somebody applies for it as next of kin or relation to the deceased as indicated in our banking guidelines.

I am contacting you based on Trust and confidentiality that will be attached to this deal. We need to utilize this once in a lifetime opportunity at this viable time. I will give you the necessary Assistance and perfect the Legal Authentication documents which will officially recognize you as the Next of Kin legitimately qualified to receive the Funds. The request of foreigner as next of kin in this business is occasioned by the fact that the customer was a foreigner and anybody from my country cannot stand as next of kin to a foreigner.

After successful conclusion of this transaction, we shall share the money 50-50 (50% for you and 50% for me). With my professionalism in LAW, I will perfect all documentations and legally follow up the proceedings to ensure that you receive the Funds (US$47Million) in your account within few days. Contact me urgently with your full name, telephone number, occupation (line of business) and confirmation of your honesty to handle this viable transaction with me. Trusting to hear from you urgently today via Email:
Make sure to send your PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS, Telephone, whatsApp and receiving account details.

Yours Faithfully,

MR. RICHARDS JOE
Chief Risk Officer

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