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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: barrfrankikem@tiscali.co.uk
Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2005 09:30:11 -0700
Subject: I NEED YOUR URGENT REPPLY

CHIEF BARRISTER FRANK IKEM L.L.B. L.L.M B.L
LEGAL PRACTITIONER AND CONSULTANT
MEMBER CONSTITUTION DRAFTING COMMITTEE 1995.

Hello my friend,

I am calling from Benin republic West Africa. I am Barrister FRANK IKEM an
English speaking Beninese, Solicitor & Financial Attorney/ Consultant. I
was moved to contact you based on present condition here.

There is a foreigner who registered with me as his personal attorney and
HE WAS A FISHERMAN AS WELL AS A ONE TIME SECRET AGENT IN LIFTING OIL TO OVERSEAS
FOR OUR FORMER MINISTERS. My client here-in-after referred as my client was
also a Diamond/Gold Merchant.

So, on 2rd June 2000 my client made a numbered time (Fixed) deposit for
US$5.900,000.00 (Five Million nine Hundred Thousand US Dollars Only) with
a BANK here in BENIN,with standing statement/agreement with the bank that
all correspondences in respect to the fixed deposit contract must be sent
to him through my humble chambers. Upon maturity, the routine notification
was sent to me, which I dispatched to his forwarding address as usual without
no reply.

After a month, I sent a reminder which I received from the bank without any
reply again. Finally, I discovered from my client's contract employers-that
he died among many others on Sept.11, 2001 Terrorist attack. But,he died
without making any WILL and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.

I also discovered that he did not declare any kin or relations in all his
official documents, including his fixed deposit contract with the bank. Hencefort,
I seek your consent to present you to this bank as the next of kin based
on the official letter I just received from his bankers reminding me that
BENINOIS LAW states that at the expiration of four(4) years the money will
revert to the ownership of the BENINOIS Government if I do not confirm the
next of kin to claim the fund.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand
in as the next of kin to my deceased client since you shares the same surname
and also from this same country so that the fruits of this old man's labor
will not go into the hands of some corrupt government officials.

Note that this transaction is simple and risk free because I will provide
expert legal services that will
guarantee the successful execution of this deal.

If you are interested, please contact me E-mail
( barrikem@walla.com ) and your response,I shall provide you with more details
and how we shall proceed with the claims.

I expect you to observe utmost confidentiality and be rest assured that this
transaction would be profitable
for both of us.
Thanks as I await for your reply.
Best Regards,
Barr.Frank Ikem




___________________________________________________________

Book yourself something to look forward to in 2005.
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Bargain holidays - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/holidays/


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