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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: "david smith" <davis_25002001@yahoo.com.au> (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2005 11:56:20 +0400
Subject: Urgent Attention Needed.

Sir,
Firstly, not to cause you embarrassment, I am Barrister david smith, a Solicitor at law 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 United arab Emirates, here in 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 countrys Embassy 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 deposit was lodged.
The deceased had a deposit valued presently at $64million 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.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3 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 $64Million US dollars 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 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 by my official E-mail:{ barrdavid_smith@mail2lawyer.com } As I am presently in Dubai and provide me the following
1. Full Name
2. Your Telephone Number and Fax Number

Your urgent response will be highly anticipated and appreciated.
Best regards,
Barrister David Smith.





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