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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: Trustees and Executor of the estate <b.jacobsonesq2332@kimo.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2011 19:02:53 -0400
Subject: THIS IS MY THIRD AND FINAL NOTICE

Attn On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Engr Hans Albrecht Bethe , I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter was returned undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you again by this same email address on the WILL. I wish to notify you that Late Engr Hans Albrecht Bethe made you a beneficiary in his WILL. He left the sum of Twenty Million, One Hundred Thousand Dollars (USD$20,100,000.00) to you in the Codicil and last testament to his WILL. This may sound strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and true. Being a widely travelled man, he said he met you sometime in the past or simply you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends abroad who must have wished you good (I am not too sure). Hans Albrecht Bethe until his death was a member of the Helicopter Society and the Institute of Electronic & Electrical Engineers and a German property magnate. He was a very dedicated christian who loved to give out alms to the poor,hungry and needy. His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time. Late Hans Albrecht Bethe died on the 6th day of March, 2005 at the age of 89 years, and his WILL is now ready for execution after 5 years and thorough investigations. According to him, this money is to support your humanitarian/medical activities and to help the poor and the needy in our society. Please if I reach you as I am hopeful, endeavour to get back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job. I hope to hear from you in no distant time. I am sincerely sorry if you feel bothered or embarrassed by this message. Please copy and email me through the below email address: (b.jacobsonesq2332@kimo.com) I await your prompt response. Yours in Service, Browne Jacobson Esq. Browne Jacobson & Associates Tel: +44 703 5931 346 Address: 7 Pilgrim Street London, EC4V 6LB, UK

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