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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: "Mr. Martin Leon" <wayne@papbap.org.nz>
Reply-To: matinleon019@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2016 14:57:12 -0800
Subject: Hello

Dear Friend,

We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a
beneficiary to the total
sum of $13,100,000.00 (Thirteen million One hundred
thousand dollars) in the
codicil and last testament of the deceased. (Name now
withheld since
this is our
second letter to you).

We contacted you
because you bear the surname identity and therefore
can present
you as the
beneficiary to the inheritance.We therefore recommend that you can
receive
these funds as you are qualified by your surname identity.

All the legal
papers will be processed in your acceptance. In your
acceptance of
this, we
request that you kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance; your
current
telephone,fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable us file
necessary
documents at probate division of our Crown court for the release of
this sum of
money.

Yours Faithfully,

Matin Leon.

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