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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: "marife derona" <mrsmarife013@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsmarife_derona023@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Sat, 06 Jan 2007 15:17:38 +0100
Subject: Business information

MRS. MARIFE C. DERONA
CREDIT ACCOUNTS OFFICER
HEAD OFFICE EQUITABLE PCI BANK TWR.
MKT AVENUE. COR.H.V DELA COSTA STR
PHILIPPINES.
EMAIL: mrsmarife_derona023@yahoo.com.ph

Good Day,

Let me start by introducing myself, I am MRS MARIFE CARREON DERONA, CREDIT
ACCOUNTS OFFICER EQUITABLE PCI BANK.

I am writing you this letter based on the latest development at my bank,
which I will like to bring
to your personal edification. I am writing you this letter with so much joy
and excitement even though my heart goes out to the very powerful and
distinguished gentleman who I was fortunate to have worked for and extremely
privileged to have known for numerous years. I am a top
official in charge of client accounts in EQUITABLE PCI BANK inside the
Philippines.

In 2001, my client was going through a horrendous divorce in the United
States of America and was on the verge of losing most of his estate to his
vicious and diabolical wife. As a result of this alarming
predicament, my client came to me with a very brilliant idea. He transferred
some funds, ten million two hundred thousand dollars ($10.2m) to a fixed
deposit account in my bank under an alias which only the two of us knew
about as the confidentiality of the matter was necessary for his protection.

Due to his untimely death in early 2002, the funds have been sitting in the
account ever since and will continue to do so perpetually unless we do
something about it.

This is where you come in. I located you through an agency that helps seek
people by their email. My client did not declare any next of kin in his
official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit. Against this
backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I would like you as a foreigner to
stand as the next of kin to our client so that you will be able to receive
his funds. I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that
we can come out successful. I have contacted an
attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as
the next of kin to my client. All that is required from you at this stage is
for you to provide me with your Full Names and Address so that the attorney
can commence his job.

After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also file in for
claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of
probate in your favor for the move of the funds to an account that will be
provided by you. There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are
going adopt a legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the
necessary documents.

The allocation of our money will be as follows: 20%($2.02m) to you for your
part in this, 75% for me and my partners and 5% for any unforeseeable
expenses we may incur. I think this is extremely fair, as you have nothing
to lose but just a little time, while on the other hand I am staking my
flawless reputation among other things. And besides $2.02 million is no
pocket change. Once you are approved, the entire transaction should take no
longer than twelve business days after which we will go about our daily
business, but just millions of dollars richer.

As you can see this is easier than taking candy from a baby, but mind you,
trust is something that is developed over time and that is something that we
do not have. So I have to let you know that it will highly unfeasible to try
to run away with the money because even though only you can transfer money
in and out of your account, the transfer can only be authorized by my
department of which i happen to be the head.

The money will be transferred from my bank to an account you will provide.
So please, there should be no room for greed because ten million two hundred
thousand dollars can quench even the most insatiable desire for the almighty
dollar. Again, I will be in charge of everything else. I will assume all
responsibilities for this endeavor so you don't have to worry about any
legal ramifications, just what you will do with all that money. Your urgent
response is highly anticipated so please email me through this my private
email:( mrsmarife_derona023@yahoo.com.ph )for more details on this
transaction as soon as possible. This should be kept very secret and
confidential.

I believe you know.

Regards,
Mrs. Marife C. Derona.

_________________________________________________________________
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