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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: "Mark Lawson" <mark.lawson7233@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2011 17:17:58 +0900
Subject: Inheritance

Hello,

I have been in search of someone that bears your last name, so when I saw your
name I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other. I
am Mark Lawson, a Banker here in Ghana. I believe it is destiny for me to come
across your name here. I have an important business discussion I wish to share
with you which I believe will interest you because, it is in connection with
your last name and you are going to benefit from it.

One of our late clients bearing the same last name like you, a citizen of your
country had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2005 for 60 calendar months,
valued at US$18,400,000.00 (Eighteen Million, Four Hundred Thousand US
Dollars) and the due date for this deposit contract was this 16 of January
2010. Sadly, he was among the death victims in the May 26, 2006 Earthquake
disaster in Jawa, Indonesia that killed over 5,000 people. He was in Indonesia
on a business trip and that was how he met his end (may his soul rest in peace).

My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because he
was my friend and I am his account officer. He did not mention any Next of
Kin/Heir when the account was opened, and he was not married and had no
children. Last week my Bank Management requested that I should give
instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract.

I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to
handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happen to know that he is
dead and do not have any next of kin/heir, they will take the funds for their
personal use, so I don't want such to happen. That was why when I saw your
name I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next
of Kin/ Heir to the account, since you have the same last name with him and my
bank head quarters will release the proceeds of the account to you. There is
no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law.

It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors to take
it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we
share the funds equal, 50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to
start my own company which has been my dream.

Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP
SECRET. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response
through my private email address: mark.lawson7233@gmail.com

We can as well discuss this on phone; let me have your telephone number and
also know when you will be available to speak with me. Have a nice day and
remain blessed.

Mark Lawson
Accra, Republic of Ghana

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