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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: "Michael Halim" <miihalim2@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 1 Apr 2006 19:35:43 +0100
Subject: Dear Johnson


Dear Johnson,

I am Michael Halim a British trained lawyer practicing in West Africa.

I need you to help make a claim as next of kin to a late Anthony Johnson,who
was my client for over 6 years before his death. This request is born out of
the fact that there is no true next of kin to lay claims to money and
property left behind by my late client. I can prepare necessary documents
that would be used as proof therefore giving you the right to be the
beneficiary of his Estate.

On several occasions my Chambers have received messages from a Finance
Company about possible confiscation of his money if a next of kin does not
make a claim within a stipulated period For this reason, you will understand
my plight in going as far as contacting you a complete stranger to help
claim the money.

Consider all I have explained and get intouch, i'll let you have more
details.

Best Regards,
Michael Halim

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