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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 TIM COOPER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsmariaalfredo923@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2017 03:21:11 -0700
Subject: Re: FUND OF $12,500,000.00USD CLAIM IN YOUR ABSENT

Attention Beneficiary, I know that this letter will be a surprising one to you....Firstly, I will like to introduce myself formally as Mr.Tim Copper , The bank Area Director of The BARCLAY'S BANK PLC UNITED KINGDOM, You are been officially contacted by me because your Inheritance Funds were Re-deposited into the "UK" Suspense Account" of BARCLAY'S BANK PLC UNITED KINGDOM, last week, because you did not Claim your funds as the Rightful beneficiary in our Corresponding bank. Well known to all. This morning at about (9:00am Standard Pacific Time), I was alerted by my Secretary that Three men were at my Office Reception waiting to see me and so I told my Secretary to let them in. I had to ask them why they came to see me in person and they said that they were here to Collect the Inheritance Bill Sum of$12,500,000.00USD) which rightfully Belongs to you, on your behalf. These foreigners actually claimed this beyond reasonable doubts. At this development I asked them who authorized them to come down to United Kingdom for the Collection of this Payment and they told me that you asked them to come and collect this Funds on your Behalf. In-fact this was the biggest shock that this Bank have ever received so far because your Inheritance Funds is still in the UK Suspense Account of Barclay's Bank, yet you sent these men to come and collect this Funds on your behalf without notifying us. We in this Bank do not understand why you sent these men to come and Claim your Funds on your behalf. Kindly clarify us on this issue before we make this Payment to these foreigners whom came on your behalf. In receipt of this confidential Letter, you are required to call email this bank. Thanks, Mr. Tim Copper, Area Director, Barclay's Bank United Kingdom. Tel: +44-706-114-0000

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