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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: "Harry Gow." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <harrygows@rediffmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:18:59 -0700
Subject: for your attention only,

for your attention only,
 
I hope this email will get to you in good health, I wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total sum of (Four Million British Pounds) £4,000,000.00 sterling pounds in the codicil and last testament of my deceased client. Name now withheld since this is my second letter to you.
 
A regular mail was dispatched to you long ago but yet no reply from you. I am contacting you again because the instruction on the WILL TESTAMENT stipulates that this fund should be paid directly to you as the next of KIN to the inheritance funds.
 
I request you to kindly acknowledge officially, enabling me file all necessary legal documents to the paying bank consultant firm for the urgent release of this inheritance funds to you with all legal judiciary support.
 
Please send an acknowledgment email with your contact details and forwarding address to enable me process your inheritance.
 
Yours Truly,
Mr. Harry Gow.
Liverpool UK.       
Tel: +4470457 39810/+447024055469.
Email: (harrygows@rediffmail.com)

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