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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: "Barr. Donald Burris Esq." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <donald.burris54@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 13 May 2014 18:37:42 +0200
Subject: Hello Dear Friend

Dear Friend,
 
It is indeed my pleasure to write you this letter, which I believe will be a surprise to you as we have never met before and I am deeply sorry if I have in any manner disturbed your privacy. Please forgive this unusual manner of contacting you, but this particular letter is of exceptional and very private in nature.
 
I know that there is absolutely going to be a great doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this letter coupled with the fact that, so many individuals have taken possession of the Internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business class persons to get attention and recognition. There is no way for me to know whether I will be properly understood, but it is my desire to write and reach out to you as a person based on great fidelity and trust.
 
My name is Barrister. Donald Burris, an attorney at law; I am contacting you in respect of a business transaction that required your urgent attention. My client Engr. Felipe Gordon and his family died in a car accident on the 7th of August, 2003 and even till now, I have been unable to locate any of his relative. Before his death, he was an oil merchant and made a Deposit of FORTY EIGHT MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND BRITISH POUNDS (48,500,000.00 GBP) with a Bank. This fund was set to be used in setting up a GAS PLANT PROJECT IN ASIA.
 
The fund has remained unclaimed and the Bank will take over this fund if I do not present anyone to claim it. I am seeking for your prompt assistance in helping me receive this fund in your account, I now seek your permission to have you stand as the Next of kin to the deceased as all documentations will be carefully worked out by me for the funds to be released in your favor as the sole beneficiary of the deposited fund. It may interest you to know that I have secured from the probate, an order of mandamus to locate any of deceased families, please acknowledge the receipt of this message in acceptance of our mutual business relationship, endeavor to furnishing me with your information. These requirements will enable me to file letter of claim to the appropriate departments for necessary approvals in your favor before you can personally appear for the claim. I will provide all vital documents to legalize your status in the claim.
 
Please note that your share of the fund is 60% for me and 40% for you and I believe that this is a fair deal. If this proposal is acceptable to you, do not take undue advantage of the trust I have bestowed in you and this transaction should be kept confidential as I would not want anyone to know about it. However if you are willing to assist me in this venture, I will establish a verbal telephone communication with you and bring you into a much better picture of the situation. If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology. Please contact me at once to indicate your interest on my email: donald.burris54@aol.com
 
All I require is your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and Trust to enable us sees this transaction through. I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.(100% risk free) Don't worry how this is going to be done. But if you give me your consent to do this with me, then I will now present you to the bank as the next of Kin to my late client and then, the proceedings for the transfer will commence. Kindly contact me on the above email and telephone number.
 
Yours truly,
Barr. Donald Burris Esq.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM.
Tel:+447031901149
donald.burris54@aol.com

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