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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: "Mr. Michael Harte" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <michaelharte@michael-harte.net>
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2010 21:02:18 -0800
Subject: Please I Need Your Help (Let's Work Together)

Hello!

Although you might be apprehensive about my email as we have never met before.
I am Mr. Michael Harte, a Banker,Head Of Operations with (NATWEST BANK PLC)
Leicester branch here in UK. There is the sum of GBP20,000,000.00 currently in my
branch,there were no beneficiary stated concerning these funds which means no one
would ever come to claim it.

That is why I ask that we work together,I will be pleased to work with you as
trusted person and see that the fund is transferred out of my Bank into another
Bank Account. Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated Bank account
we shall then share it in the ratio of 50% for me, 50% for you.
Your urgent response is been awaited as this is an opportunity of a life time
for both of us.

Here is my email address: michaelharte@michael-harte.net

Mr.Michael Harte.

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