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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: "Edward Parker." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <edwardparkerbank1@mail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:16:17 -0500
Subject: Compliments From Edward Parker.

Deutsche Bank AG
1 Great Winchester Street
EC2N 2DB LONDON
GREAT BRITAIN.
 
Compliments.
 
First of all, let me start by introducing myself. My name is Mr  Edward Parker, Auditor General of Deutsche Bank London. I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you. I am the accounting officer of Mr. Ken Lay, Enron founder, who died on July, 5th 2006, at the age of 64 and his friend and partner Mr.Jeffrey Skilling,Ex-Enron CEO who was recently convicted 24 years for his involvement on the collapse of Enron, the energy trading giant in America. It will interest you to know that on Wednesday, 7th February 2001, Mr. Ken Lay deposited a total sum of 20M pounds and on Tuesday, 24th April 2001, Mr. Jeffrey Skilling deposited 17.5M Pounds in our Bank. These funds were deposited into a non-existing company's account which I opened in our bank (DEUTSCHE BANK LONDON) under their instruction, to avoid raising an eyebrow but unfortunately for them and fortunately for me, the two men are gone.
 
You can read more about the story by visiting the websites below:
 
http://www.chron.com/news /specials/enron/
http://www.accountancyage.com /accountancyage/news/2171002 /enron-ceo-sentence-slashed
http://www.economist.com /business/displaystory.cfm ?story_id=8082101
 
So right now, we have the sum of 37.5M Pounds lying in the two accounts without any proof of ownership as it was opened with non-existing companies name and the bank is not aware of the real beneficiaries as the accounts did not bear any name. As their accounting officer and financial adviser in charge of these accounts, I can comfortably present you to the Bank as the real beneficiary of the funds and they have no right to deny the application.
 
Consequently, my proposal is that I want to seek your consent as for you to stand as the owner of any of these accounts, since it has no trace or beneficiary which makes it easier to transfer to your designated bank account as the beneficiary. The nature of my work as a staff of the Bank will not allow me lay claim on the funds, hence this proposal is to inform you that as long you are ready to cooperate and be truthful to me, I can assure you that the sky will be our limit. All documents and proves to enable you get any of the money will be carefully worked out, I assure you that the business is risk free, as everything will be handled in accordance with the International Monetary Guidelines. I am offering you 40% for your cooperation in achieving this aim. Please, if you are interested in working with me, I will like you to send the information’s below to enable me procure the necessary documents that will backup the transfer to your account!
 
 
 
1. YOUR FULL NAMES AND ADDRESS...
2. AGE AND MARITAL STATUS........
3. OCCUPATION....................
4. NATIONALITY...................
5. TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS.....
6. A COPY OF YOUR ID.............
 
As soon as I receive your acceptance mail by forwarding the above information’s, I will prepare the paper works in your name for onward remittance of the funds into your designated account. Thanks and God bless you, am waiting for the information’s below to enable me work fast,
 
My Regards,
Mr  Edward Parker.

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