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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: "Mr. Anthony Walkins" <anthonywalkins@msn.com>
Reply-To: anthonywalkins@uk2.net
Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 20:35:14 +0000
Subject: personal

Dear friend,
How are you doing today?
I am a senior staff of Bristol and West Private Bank United Kingdom, and
a member of the vetting and probing panel on inheritance.
I contacted you in search of a partner who can assist me in recieving
funds as a next of kin to a deceased client of my bank. I have studied this
funds for over a year now which is in the tune of eighteen million five
hundred thousand united states dollars, and i need a honest and trust
worthy partner who can handle the release of the inheritance.

The deceased client from all indications and investigations conducted by
the bank showed that the deceased client did not provide a next of kin.
This venture is risk free and will be completed in 14 working days. I am
willing to use my position here at the bank to the maximum to ensure the
release of this inheritance.Also i will provide the necessary logistics to
give us a legal backing and i am offering a share of 50% of the inheritance
if you assist in securing the release of the funds.

Kindly provide me with your full names, private telephone and fax numbers
so i can furnish you with the necessary details towards the actualisation
of this venture for us both.
I will also advise that you keep this personal as possible.

I await your positve response.
Anthony Walkins.


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