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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.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Doroughty Phillips" <dorry_phi@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: dorry_phi@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 23:43:30 +0000
Subject: LAST AND FINAL NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

TRAVERS SMITH BRAITHWAITE & PARTNERS
Solicitor,Advocate and Notary Public
Office: 10 snow hill, London
EC1A ,2A1,ENGLAND 96 DX
LONDON,CITY
FAX: 447030403720.


Dear Sir/Madam


LAST AND FINAL NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

Congratulation! On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late
Engr. Morgan Williamson, I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter
to you through the Post Officewas returned undelivered,therefore I now
attempt to reach you via your email address as it appears to be the next and
the only option left unexplored.

Engr. Morgan Williamson (late), made you a beneficiary in his will, he left
Three Million one Hundred United States Dollars (US$3.100.000.00) to you in
the codicil and last testament to his will. My client,Engnr Williamson was a
pioneer member of STRABAG CONSTRUCTION CO.LTD,a dedicated Christian and
Philanthropist. He died on the 9th day of February 2003 at the age of 82 and
his Will
is now ready for execution.

Please If I reach you as I am hopeful I will, endeavor to get back to me as
soon as possible to enable me conclude my job,you should forward along your
current telephone and Fax numbers, your current mailing address. Once again,
I congratulate you for this is a significant honor indeed as it behooves you
therefore to act at once to avoid risk of forfeiture to the deceased family.

Yours In Service

Doroghty Phillips (Sectional Head)
Probate and Bequest Division
For: TRAVERS SMITH BRAITHWAITE & PARTNERS
last and final notification of Bequest


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