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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: "The Testament" <thetestament_104@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 02:45:23 +0000
Subject: The Testament

The Testament

Hello,

Please do not be surprised on receiving this email.
Though we might not have a personal relationship or
have met each other, we could work together on this
project I am about to introduce to you. First, I would
like to introduce myself. My name is A.G. Furness
(Attorney). Certain funds have been left behind by my
late client, below are the details.

Being that she was my client, I was her confidant as
she shared with me virtually everything about her
business and family. I was her attorney for 13years
and during that period I wrote her WILL and was also
named as the executor. I am also aware due to our
cordial relationship that she deposited Twelve Million
Pounds with a bank in England that was not mentioned
in her WILL. She told me about it and asked me to
prepare a codicil to reflect the money. However before
this could be completed, she died.

After her death, funeral and subsequent execution of
her WILL, I went into action to establish the
information passed unto me by my client. My findings
agreed with the information. At that point, I knew I
had to do something to move the funds out of the bank.
Bearing at the back of my mind that I cannot do this
alone, I have decided to contact you and seek your
assistance and acceptance to be the next of kin to the
estate.

Aside my humble self and you, the relationship manager
(Account Officer) of my client knows about this. He
was very helpful during my investigation. Through him
I was able to see the deposit paper work of the money
that confirmed that there is no next of kin to the
funds. It is necessary for us to move the money out of
the bank on time before it will be regarded as sundry
funds, which would give the bank the right to claim
the money.

I cannot move the money in my name because she was my
client and it could create suspicion. Her account
officer also cannot do the same, hence the importance
of your assistance. Have my assurance that there is
nothing to fear about, as we also need your assurance
that you would work with me with a high degree of
honesty and sincerity to achieve our desired
objective. The legal procedure is no problem for I
would be responsible. Since the codicil was not ready
before her death, a letter of administration without
WILL would be secured from the probate office. With
this letter I would personally apply on your behalf to
the bank for the release of the funds to you.

Below is required from you to enable us achieve the
above;

Names
Address
Date of Birth
Telephone and Fax numbers

Upon receipt of a confirmation of acceptance from you,
a sharing ratio would be worked out between the three
of us and communicated to you along with my telephone
number.

Thanking you in anticipation of your co-operation.

Sincerely,

A.G. Furness
Kindly send all correspondence to: confidential1@uk2.net

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