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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: "Richard Duke" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <richardduke97@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 12:03:22 -0700
Subject: PARTNERSHIP REQUEST

BARRISTER RICHARD DUKE (Esq.)
TELEPHONE: +44-708-7694-328

Dear my worthy fellow,
I am Mr. Richard Duke, a Legal practitioner based in London, United Kingdom and the personal Attorney to Late Mr. Roland Lake who was formerly a private investor/ realtor with the Frank Howard Allen Realtors before his death, hereinafter shall be referred to as my client. Many years ago, my client and his wife along with their two children were among victims of Boeing 737 Airline crash that claim the lives of all occupants.

Since then, I have made several enquiries from the embassy to locate his next of kin or any of his extended relatives, but all to no avail. My client made a deposit in a Bank at London valued presently at US$10,500,000.00 (Ten Million and Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) and the bank has issued me an official notification to appoint the next of kin or beneficiary who will benefit this funds, otherwise the account will be confiscated within the next fifteen(15) working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful to locate any of my late client's relatives, I seek your consent to permit me present you as the next of kin/ beneficiary of my late client's estate so that the proceeds of this account would be transferred to you in a smmoth and legitimate means.

Already, I have set out modalities for achieving my aim of appointing you as the bonafide next of kin as well transfer the money out of United Kingdom, for us to share the money in the ratio of 50% for me and 40% to you. We shall collectively donate the remaining balance of 10% to Haiti Relief Organizations.

It is my intention to achieve this transfer in a legitimate way, all I required from you is your honest Co-operation, confidentiality and trust to enable us see this transaction through. This is a very legal business that I am 100% sure of its success and is absolutely risk free.

Kindly signify your willingness to assist by sending me an email for further procedures relating to this transaction. The email shall include the below information:

1. Your full name
2. Your telephone and fax numbers.
3. Your Full address.
4. Your age and occupation.

Once I receive your positive response, I will then furnish you with more details on how we shall proceed with the claim.
I look forward to receiving your prompt response.

Yours Sincerely,
Barr. Richard Duke (Esq

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