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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: "Joeffrey Williams" <williamsjeff67@netscape.net>
Reply-To: jeff_williams2007@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 13:14:12 +0100
Subject: PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.

I am Mr Joeffrey Williams an Investment banker with one of the apex offshore banks in Isle Of Man, British Isles. My colleagues and I have an urgent and confidential business That will guarantee great financial freedom for all parties involved.
On the 6th of November 1998 an American diamond mine owner, Mr. Trevor Phillips opened a prime gold investment account with us for a period of five years and his present balance is valued at GBP6, 000,000.00 (Six Million Great Britain pounds sterling only) On maturity date of his investment, we sent a routine notification to hisforwarding Address but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally,we discovered from his business associates that he died from an automobile accident.
On further investigation, we found out from his account file that he never made a will and all attempts to trace his next of kin were fruitless, as he had none. We therefore made further investigations and discovered that Mr. Trevor Philips did not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official documents in the Bank.As it is now, no one will ever come forward to claim this money. As an offshore account,
at the expiration of 5 (five) years the money will revert to the ownership of the Bank if unclaimed.Consequently, my proposal is that I would like you to stand in as the next of kin of Mr. Trevor Phillips. This is simple; all we need is some of your
details so that an Attorney will prepare the necessary documents and affidavits which would put you in Place as Mr. Phillips next of kin. We shall engage the services of an accredited
Attorney for the drafting and notarization of a WILL. Then obtain the necessary documents and letters of probate/administration in your favor for the transfer.
The money would be shared in the ration of 70% for us and 30% for you.There is no risk at all as the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the attorney and my position as an investment manager with the bank guarantees the success of this transaction. If you are interested, please reply immediately.


Please observe utmost confidentiality and be rest assured that this transaction would Be most profitable for us. I shall still require your assistance to invest my own share In your country just incase you can help, otherwise we'll take our share.


I await your urgent reply.

Regards,
Mr.Joeffrey Williams


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