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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: James Williams <james@ristomaicom.info>
Reply-To: james@mailmeasap.com
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:59:27 +0000
Subject: Letter from James



--
Respected Sir/Ma,

I honestly apologize and hope I do not cause you much embarrassment by
contacting you through this means for a transaction of this magnitude, I
got your email address on the internet. and it is imperative for me to know
your opinion. I am James Williams branch manager of Intercontinental Bank,
I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you.

Nine (9) years ago an American Oil consultant/contractor with the Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) Late Mr. Henry Gardner made a numbered
time(Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$25,000,000.00
(Twenty Five Million Dollars only) in my branch. Upon maturity, I sent a
routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a
month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract
employers, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) that Late Mr
Henry Gardner died in an automobile accident.

On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a WILL
and all attempts to trace his next of kin were fruitless.I therefore made
further investigation and discovered that Late Mr. Henry Gardner did not
declare any kin or relations in all his official documents, including his
Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of US$25,000,000.00 (Twenty
Five Million Dollars only) is still sitting in my Bank and the interest is
being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one
will ever come forward to claim it. According to the Nigeria Laws at
expiration of 10(Ten) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the
Nigerian Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand
in as the next of kin to Late Mr. Henry Gardner so that the fruits of this
man's labor will not get into the hands of some corrupt government
officials.This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full
names and address so that the attorney will prepare the necessary documents
and affidavits that will put you in place as the next of kin.

We shall employ the services of an Attorney for drafting and notarization
of the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents and letter of
probate/administration in your favor for the transfer. The money will be
paid into your account for us to share in the ratio of 50% for me and 40%
for you.

There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be
done by the attorney and with my position as a Manager guarantees the
successful execution of this transaction.Upon your response, I shall then
provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you
understand the transaction.

Please send me your confidential telephone numbers for easy communication.
You should observe utmost confidentiality, and rest assured that this
transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require
your assistance to invest my share in your country. here is my private
email address: ca@mailmeasap.com

Awaiting your urgent reply.

James Williams

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