419 scam: "ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND" <royalbank@scotland> Dear Beneficiary

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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:
- "clearance fee" (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. )
- "tax clearance" (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. )
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- royalbank00077@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND" <royalbank@scotland>
Reply-To: royalbank00077@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2023 01:16:36 -0800
Subject: Dear Beneficiary

Dear Beneficiary

This is British National Crime Investigation Center London.

In our investigations from banks on International and National Funds Transfer (INFT) protocols in the past 10 years records from all banks in the USA. We have come across your contact details and record with one of the London Banks. In view of the carried investigations, we have contacted you confidentially for vital information toward your transaction with this bank.

However, all former bank officials who mishandled your transaction have been duly terminated and dismissed from bank work and your funds deposited with The Clearing House. Upon our investigation conclusion,we found out that your transaction was legitimate and for this reason and all delays, a compensation amount 0f $43,150,567.00 (Forty three million one hundred and fifty thousand, five hundred and sixty seven dollars) has been awarded to you for immediate payment through The Clearing House.And kindly be inform that you are to pay the sum of $3,870 the paying officer he will give you directives on how to pay the Tax Clearance fee.

All legal transfer documents are ready,immediately the Tax Clearance fee $3,870 is paid, the transfer of your funds commence immediately and deducting from the principal funds is illegal so don't even mention that is impossible.

Name: Mr Bryan Scott
Email: royalbank00077@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam