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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: "ALBERT GALUT" <albert_galut@msn.com>
Reply-To: agalut1@walla.com
Date: Sat, 07 Jan 2006 16:28:57 +0000
Subject: Reply Urgently

AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT
ECO BANK NIG PLC
LAGOS NIGERIA

Attn: Pls,

Taking into considerations that we have not met before, l know this mail
although it's for good motive, may come to you as a surprise. l decided to
contact you for this reason believing that you would be capable to work-out
this deal for the interest of us based on what we have in the file here.
I am Dr. Albert Galut, the director in charge of auditing and accounting
section of Eco Bank in west Africa with due respect and regard. I have
decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very
beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction . During our
investigation and auditing in this bank, my department came across a very
huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died on 21 april 2001
in a Auto crash and the fund has been dormant in his account with this Bank
without any claim of the fund in our custody either from his family or
relation before our discovery to this development.
Although personally, I keep this information secret within myself and
partners to enable the whole plans and idea be Profitable and successful
during the time of execution. The said amount was us$13M (thirteen million
united states dollars). 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 to contact
a foreigner who will
act as the next of kin to the deceased instead of the money going into the
federal government coffers. I have contacted you to assist in repartrating
the money and property left behind by my client before they get confisicated
or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.
Particularly,the Eco Bank Plc where the deceased had an account valued at
about13 million united states dollars has issued a notice for the next of
kin to surface or have the account confisicated within the next ten
official working days. since i have been unsuccesfull in locating the
relatives for over 4 years now I seek your consent to present you as the
next of kin of the deceased hence
we claim this fund for our own benefits so that the proceeds of this account
valued at 13 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can
share the money. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to
back up any claim we may make.
All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law. I will procure all necessary
Legal documents furnish me with the below information to enable the bank
transfer the fund to your bank account.

(1) Your phone and fax number for easy conversation
(2) Your age and occupation.
(3) Your full name and address

Once I hear from you I will tell you the next line of action.

Best Regards,

Dr. Albert Galut


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