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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: beneja marjeta <bnmarje1111@gmail.com>
Reply-To: benejamarjeta@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 12:43:34 +0100
Subject: Inheritance enquiry.

Hello,

After an extensive research effort, we are pleased to inform you that
a dormant bank account holding $40,000,000.00 defined deposit with the
family name on it has been traced to your person. This account
belonged to a deceased client but you are legally entitled to be a
distant relative, being a descendant from the same ancestor. This
money now belongs to you or your family (with proof of your identity
and proper documentation); and not the bank or the government. .

It might interest you to know that when someone dies without leaving a
WILL and there is no known relative to inherit, the government
receives all the money as unclaimed funds unless a previously unknown
distant relative or a descendant from the same ancestor is found
within a limited amount of time to claim the inheritance referred to
in paragraph 46 of the administration of estates Act of 1925 (as
amended).

This is a case of intestacy and the state of intestacy here considers
consanguinity as a factor in deciding whether two individuals may be
related or whether a given person inherits property where a deceased
person has not left a WILL or a note of kin next. In this regard, you
have been identified and chosen to assist in our efforts to reconcile
the issue within the eligibility period to prevent decay.

We understand that it is natural for you to have concerns about your
relationship with a distant relative unknown, but the good news is the
rule of intestate succession provides an opportunity for you to be a
distant relative, a descendant from the same ancestor and of giving
exclusive rights and judicial authority to administer the estate.

We will work with you to facilitate this matter and, at least you owe
it to yourself and/or your family to actively pursue the matter
unconditionally. We worked on this case for some time, and from all
indications, everything will be resolved once you bring you as a
trustee and the arrangement will be made to release the funds in the
names accordingly.

However, we will need to enter into a contract with you as the work to
be undertaken is in intestacy, after which you will be given exclusive
rights and judicial authorities to administer the estate as a trustee
overseas property. I am currently in the process of preparation of the
contract of non-disclosure agreement in conjunction with this
transaction, and once we have an agreement to proceed, I will complete
the draft agreement and send a copy to you for your signature.

Trust in our many years of legal experience to work for you as we
partner with our extensive knowledge with a dedication to building
long-term relationships with you based on mutual trust and respect.
Our reputation for customer satisfaction is based on our track record
of success.

We need your courage and commitment to make the issue a success and
together we can make it happen.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me. I look
forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Beneja Marjeta (Mrs.)

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