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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: "FRANK SMITH" <frank_smith0040@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2005 03:45:08 +0000
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE REQUIRED

21/09/2005
FROM THE DESK OF:
BARRISTER;Frank Smith
DIRECTOR, INFORMATIONS PROTOCOL
NIGERIA NATIONAL PETROLUEM COMPANY
KM5, GARKI WAY, ABUJA,NIGERIA.
Dear Beloved Friend,
I am Barr;Frank Smith, a legal practitioner, I am the personal attorney to Mr David Via ,a nationale of your country, who used to work with Chevron Nigeria limited,here in Nigeria. On the 27th of January 2002, my client,his wife and their three children were involved in Ikeja bomb blast here in my country. My client and his family  unfortunately lost there lives.  
PLEASE VIEW THESE WEBSITES BELOW TO CONFIRM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2718295.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2698081.stm
Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives,this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided and do some research in the internet, to locate any member of his family. That is why I contacted you,and the reason why i contacted you is to assist me in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before
they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where these huge deposits were lodged where my client deposited US$17.4million dollars.
The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the Account confiscated within the next ten official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 Years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$17.4million dollars can be transferred to your account there in your country, then you and me can share the money. I have all necessary legal documents that back up the claim we may make. All I require is your honest co-operation
to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please indicate your readiness to assist me,so that
all the informations about this funds will be passed to you immediately.You should send to me your full names, your private telephone numbers,fax number date of birth emlpoyment status, for easy
communications.And also assure me of your trust and remember that the trust in business is confidentiality.So let it be only between me and
you.If you give me your full coperation and this transaction is properly executed,I am prepared to give you 30% of the total sum for your kind assistance.60% will be for me and 10% percent will be for any
expences we may incure along in this transaction.Please get in touch with me by my private email below to enable us discuss further.
(franksmith0040@excite.com)
Thank you very much for your understanding.
Best Regards.
Barr;Frank Smith

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