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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "Miller Joseph" <miller-1013@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: millerjoseph@walla.com
Date: Thu, 08 Dec 2005 10:22:30 +0000
Subject: Please Reply Soon.

FROM DESK OF
MR.Miller Joseph
BILL AND EXCHANGE MANAGER
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT
BANK OF AFRICA PLC.
COTONOU-BENIN.Branch
Dear Friend.

I know this email will reach you as a surprise, but need not to worry as i
am using the only secured and confidential medium available to seek for
foreign assistance in a business.I am MR. Miller Joseph. from the BANK OF
AFRICA. PLC,COTONOU-REPUBLIC OF BENIN.Branch.This business request may seem
strange, but I crave your indulgence and pray you view it seriously as I am
convinced that you would be capable to provide me with a solution to a money
transfer.On August, 2002, a retired Atlanta physician Mr George Brumley Jr
made a numbered time (fixed) deposit for twelve calendar months,valued at
US$6,500,000.00(Six Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars )in my branch
upon maturity. I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but
got no reply.After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered
from his contract employers, that the Atlanta physician Mr George Brumley Jr
and his family died in the plane crash On july, 2003. See site below for
confirmation of the death. May there Gentle soul rest in peace.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/07/20/kenya.crash/index.html

On further investigation, I found out that he died alongside with his next
of kin and attempts to trace his further next of kin were fruitless.Since we
got information about his death, we have been expecting his extended next of
kin (family members)to come over and claim his money because we cannot
release it unless some body applies for it as next of kin or relation to the
deceased as indicated in our banking guidlines and laws but unfortunately
we learnt that all his supposed next of kin or relation died alongside with
him at the plane crash leaving nobody behind for the claim. This sum of
US$6,500,000.00 and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum
at the end of each year . If no one ever come forward to claim it according
to African law, at the expiration of (two) years, the money will revert to
the ownership of the Benin Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.

Consequently, my proposal to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to
stand as the next of kin to Mr George Brumley Jr and claim this funds so
that the fruit of this old man's labor will not get into the hands of some
corrupt Government officials. This is simple, I will like you to provide
immediately your full name and address so that i can apply for an Attorney
on your behalf who will prepare the necessary documents and affidavits which
will put you in place as the next of kin.We shall employ the service of a
probate attorney for the drafting and notarization of the Will and obtain
the necessary documents and letter of probate administration in your favour
for the transfer.Any bank account in any part of the world which you will
provide will then facilitate the transfer of this money to you as the
beneficiary/next of kin.The money will be paid into your account for us to
share in ratio of 40% for me and 40% for you and 10 % will be set aside for
expenses incured during the business while the other 10% will be given to
charity organisation. There is no risk at all;

the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the attorney and my
position as the banks branch Bills and Exchange Manager guarantees the
successful execution of this transaction.If you are interested, please reply
immediately via my private email address below. upon your response, I shall
provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you
understand the transaction.Please observe utmost confidentiality and be rest
assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us
because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your
country.Please upon the receipt of this mail message, send to me the
following to enable me start the processing of the fund transfer:

1.) Your full name and address.

2.) Your private / official telephone and fax number.

Awaiting your positive response via my private email: mill_joseph@walla.com
And you can reach me on my private telephone.+229-9571-3752

Thanks and God bless,
MR Miler Joseph.

BILL AND EXCHANGE MANAGER
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT:
BANK OF AFRICA PLC.
COTONOU-BENIN.Branch.


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