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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: "louis dobbs" <dobbs017_5@msn.com>
Reply-To: louisdobbs4@myway.com
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:54:42 +0000
Subject: YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED IN ACTUALIZING THIS GOAL

FROM THE DESK OF: SIR LOUIS DOBBS
FOREIGN OPERATIONS MANAGER
BANK OF SCOTLAND
THE MOUND
EDINBURGH EH1 1YZ, UNITED KINGDOM
PRIVATE EMAIL:louisdobbs4@myway.com

Attention: SIR\MADAM

RE: YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED IN ACTUALIZING THIS GOAL
 
Let me start by introducing myself to you, I am Sir Louis Dobbs, Foreign Operations Manager, Bank of Scotland Edinburgh United Kingdom. I got your address during my private search in the Internet and I want to believe that,you will be very honest, committed and capable of assisting in this business venture.
 
Firstly, let me explain the source of this funds and what you are expected to do. A foreigner LATE  RICARDO GONZALEZ, an  oil  merchant/contractor with the government of Scotland, until his death,years ago, was a victim of Kenya airway: bus (a310-300) flight kq430,plane crash. The deceased, Engineer Ricardo Gonzalez banked with us,and has a closing balance as at July 2001 worth $15.9m ( Fifteen Million Nine Hundred Thousand USD). Which My bank, now expects a next-of-kin,to stand as the beneficiary of the funds,efforts have been made by BANK OF SCOTLAND to get in touch with the Gonzalez's Family or relatives but,to no avail.
Based on the perceived possibility of not being able to locate  Engineer Ricardo Gonzalez's next-of-kin, the management under the influence of our chairman and the board of directors are making arrangements for the funds to be declared unclaimed and channeled to an unknown account. It is for this reason I have contacted you to stand as the next-of-kin of late  Engineer Ricardo Gonzalez so that the funds, will be released and paid into your account as the beneficiary/next-of-kin to the deceased.
 
All documents, and proof to enable you get the funds from BANK OF SCOTLAND have being carefully worked out as I have secured from the different offices concerned for the smooth transfer of the fund to your nominated account. It has been agreed that the owner of the account will be compensated with 30% of the remitted Funds; while we keep 60% and 10% will be set aside to,upset expenses both locally and international. If this proposal satisfies you, please reach me by mail, for more clarification about how this will be done.

Yours faithfully,
SIR LOUIS DOBBS.
 

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