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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: barristervictord@yahoo.co.in
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 2004 10:29:44 -0800
Subject: Trustee Needed

Dear Friend,

Firstly, not to cause you embarrassment, I am Barrister Victor
Duke, a Solicitor at law and the personal attorney to late Mr. Mark
Michelle a National of American, who used to be a private
contractor with the Golf Oil Development Company in Angola, 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 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 Finance/Security Company where these huge
deposits was lodged.

The deceased had a deposit valued presently at $21million US
Dollars and the Company 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 2
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 $21Million US dollars can be paid to you. This
will be disbursed or shared in thesepercentages, 60% to me and 40%
to you.

I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up
any claim we may make. All I require is your honest Co-operation,
Confidentiality and Trust to enable us see 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.
Please get in touch with me urgently via E-mail,and provide me the
following

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 victor Duke.

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