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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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Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister. Joseph Morimai" <j_morimai@indiatimes.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: josephmorimai@quepasa.com
Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 02:12:27 +0100
Subject: GREETINGS!!!!!!!!!

From : Barrister. Joseph Morimai

Kindest Attention,

Firstly, not to cause you embarrassment, I am Mr. Joseph Morimai, a Papua New Guinean by Nationality, a Solicitor at law based in the United Kingdom and the personal attorney to late Mr. Mark Michelle a National of France, who used to be a private contractor with the Shell Petroleum Development Company in Saudi Arabia, herein after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2001, he and his wife with their three children were involved in an auto crash; all occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then, I have made several enquiries with his country's embassies to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to contact you with this business partnership proposal. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating a huge amount of money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank where this huge deposit was lodged.

The deceased had a deposit valued presently at GBP30 million British Pounds Sterling and the Bank has issued me a notice to provide his next of kin or Beneficiary by Will otherwise have the account confiscated within the next thirty official working
days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over three years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin / Will Beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at GBP 30 Milliom British Pounds Sterling can be paid to you.

This will be disbursed or shared in these percentages, 60% to me and 40% to you.I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to Back up any claim will be obtained From the Court of England with the Certificate Of Deposit which has been issued to me by the Bank.

All I require is your honestCo-operation,Confidentiality and Trust
to enable us see this project through. I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate Arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. All the relevant documents that will give you the legal backing to claim the fund will be processed.
Please acknowledge receipt of this message by e-mail.

As I am based in the United Kingdom. And please provide me the following below; this is to enable me commence immediate preparation of all legal document that will back up our claim.

1. Full Name
2. Your Telephone Number and Fax Number
3. Your Contact Address.
Your urgent response will be highly anticipated and appreciated.

Best regards,

Barrister. Joseph Morimai.


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