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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: "Natwest Bank Plc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bmax584@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:58:01 -0800
Subject: Let me hear from you

Nat west Bank Plc
Head of Foreign Operation
12 Throgmorton Avenue
Drapers Gardens
London EC2N 2DL
United Kingdom
 
Hello
 
I am Ben Max, Staff of one United Kingdom leading Bank, I will need your cooperation to immediately effect the sum of US$14.2Million(Fourteen Million, Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)into your account You are only requires to provide the following information as stated below for the claim of this fund,Your name and address, Telephone and fax number, Any Form of identity The stated information above will enable you have all legal backing to the claim of this fund,Kindly initiate the first response to enable me gives you
detail information about this transaction
 
Await your prompt response
 
Sincerely
 
Ben Max
Nat west Bank PLC
Head - Telex and Exchange department
International Operations/Debt Reconciliations/Payment

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