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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Johan Vankelecom <minfi.compens11@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2022 06:37:52 +0000
Subject: Business Cooperation

Hi,

I have been in search of someone that bears your last name, so when I saw
your name from a personal search, I was pushed to contact you and see how
best we can assist each other. I am Johan Vankelecom, a banker here in
Belgium. I believe it is destiny for me to come across your name here. I
have an important business discussion I wish to share with you, and I
believe it will interest you because it is in connection with your last
name and you are going to benefit from it.

One late George, a citizen of your country, had a fixed deposit with my
bank in 2005 for 108 calendar months, valued at US$18,400,000.00 (Eighteen
Million Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) and the due date for
this deposit contract was last 22nd of January 2013.

Sadly George was among the death victims in the May 11, 2007 fatal accident
in Antwerp involving seven vehicles where thirty-five people died on the
spot.

My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because
he was my friend and I am his account officer. He did not mention any next
of kin/heir when the account was opened, and he was not married and had no
children. Last week my bank management requested that I should give
instructions on what to do about his funds, whether to renew the contract
or not.

I knew this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to
handle the situation, because if my bank directors happen to know that he
is dead and do not have any next of kin/heir, they will take the funds for
their personal use, so I don't want such to happen.

That was why when I saw your name I was happy and I am now seeking your
cooperation to present you as the next of kin/heir to the account, since
you have the same last name as him and my bank headquarters will release
the proceeds of the account to you. There is no risk involved; the
transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will
protect you from any breach of the law.

It is better that we claim the money, than allow the bank directors to take
it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we
share the funds equally, 50%/50% to both parties, my share will assist me
to start a charity organization to help the poor and also start my own
company which has been my dream.

Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as top
secret. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response
through my personal email address: j.vankelecom75@gmail.com I want you to
know that the only thing needed from you is 100% honesty, and promise not
to betray me when this money is transferred to you and also agree with the
sharing percentage (50%/50%), then I can assure you that I will use my
position in the bank to make sure this money is transferred to your account
in about 14 working days.

I am waiting for your response through my personal email address as given
to you above.

Kind regards,

Johan Vankelecom
Brussels, Belgium.



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