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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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Fraud email example:

From: "ivagold smith" <ivagoldsmith@msn.com>
Reply-To: ivagoldsmith@3xl.net
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 23:36:32 +0000
Subject: # WOULD YOU MIND ASSISTING ME,PLEASE? #

Dear Friend,
I am Barrister Ivan Goldsmith,an attorney at law. A deceased client of mine,
by name Mr.Bill Owen, who here in after shall be referred to as my
client,died as a result of an auto car accident here in England.

I am contacting you to assist me in ensuring that the funds lodged by my
client with a bank in the Caribbean,his bank,is not decleared unclaimed
hence my reason for this contact to you.

This bank has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the account
will be confiscated.

My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the
next-of-kin and beneficiary of my late client,so that the proceeds of this
account can be paid to you,Then we can share the amount on a mutually
agreed-upon percentage.

All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will be
provided and forwarded to the bank. All I require is your honest cooperation
to enable us see this transaction through.

This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you
from any breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your moral
values,do accept my apology. Please contact me at once to indicate your
interest.

However if you are willing to assist me in this venture i will establish a
verbal telephone communication with you and bring you into a much better
picture of the situation.

Best Regards,

Barrister Ivan Goldsmith
Morley House,
26-30 Holborn Viaduct,
London EC1A 2BP,
U.K


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