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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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Fraud email example:

From: "phillip williams" <barphillipchambers111@msn.com>
Reply-To: barphillipchambers@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 06 Dec 2005 20:08:36 +0000
Subject: From Williams Associates & Chambers

Williams Associates & Chambers.
Solicitors & Advocates,
Lagos- Nigeria.
Compliment.

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.
My name is Barrister Philip Williams, a legal practitioner and the personal
Attorney to late Mr. Raymond Beck who died in an air crash along With his
wife Mrs. Dorene Beck on the 31st October 1999 in an Egyptian airline 990
with other passengers on board (May their soul rest in peace).I know that my
client had no living kin but I went ahead and made several inquiries to
their embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but this has
proved unsuccessful. You can confirm this from the website below which was
published by BBC.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/world/americas/502503.stm

I only did so to be double sure of this fact. 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 these huge
deposits were lodged, particularly the Access Bank of Nigeria Plc where the
deceased had an account valued at about $25 Million Dollars.The bank has
issued me a notice that in the event that no next of kin comes up for the
claim, the account will be confiscated after Six years if not claimed and we
have just about few months.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over three
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$25 Million
Dollars can be paid into your nominated bank account and then you and me can
share the money in the mode. 60% shall be for me and 35% for you and 5%
shall be map out for expanse that are being made within the transfer.
I have all neccessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim
we may make. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us seeing
this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Please your telephone and fax number urgently needed for further
discussion.I look forward to your urgent response.

Best regards,
Barrister Philip Williams


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