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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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Please note about this email:

Fraud email example:

From: "PINTO JOSE BRADA" <pintobrada@cieux.zzn.com> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2005 13:03:26 +0200
Subject: UGENT REPLY (PINTO)

PINTO BRADA & CO, GABINETE DEL ABOGADOS, {LEGAL PRACTITIONER & NOTARY AGENT} Local 6 & 7 Plaza de los Faroles Pasaje las Palmeras San Pedro de Alcantara 29670, Madrid, SPAIN TEL: 0034 697250680 pinto-jose-brada@excite.com Attention: I crave your indulgence for the unsolicited nature of this letter, but it was borne out of desperation and current development. Please bear with me. I am an Attorney. I was The Personal attorney to HEIDEMARIEH PETERP FISCHER, a national of your country, who used to own a steel plant company in Spain herein after shall be referred to as my Client. On the 11th day of March 2004, my client, his wife and their 2 Children were involved in the Madrid Train Bomb Attack, along Atocha Train Centre. 190 occupants of the train unfortunately lost their lives. I know that my client had no living next of kin but I went ahead and made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my Clients extended relatives but this proved unsuccessful. I only did so to be double sure of this fact. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet; hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged. I can assure you that this project 100% risk free as all links that could lead to our trace will be completely erased from the central computer by our insider who is also completely involved in this transaction. This is a PRIVATE BANK here in Madrid, Spain, where the deceased had an account valued at about 5.6 million Euros. And the Spanish banking policy states that an account will be declared unserviceable and confiscated after three years of non constant movement( withdraws, paying and payout of this said account by the owner.) We have just about one year and half to execute all this transaction. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the Relatives for over 15 months now. I therefore seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at 15.6 million Euros can be paid to you and thereafter you and me can share the money. 40% shall be for me,40% shall be for you, 10% for our insider, while 10% is earmarked for expenses that might be incurred during the process of transfer of the fund. I have all necessary legal Documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make, all I need is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal 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 via my personal e-mail address above, to enable us discuss further. You should also send your phone number so that I can call and speak with you directly. I kindly solicit your esteem cooperation to keep this matter confidential till the end. Awaiting your prompt response. Yours Faithfully. PINTO J BRADA

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