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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Hilary Benson <mrhilarybenson@wanadoo.es>
Reply-To: mr_hilary_benson@fsmail.net
Date: Mon, 01 May 2006 20:45:48 +0200
Subject: I have not replied my mail? Carefully read this mail please!!


DEAR FRIEND,
I am writing you in respect of the findings and recommendations order from the Independent Committee of Eminent Persons (ICEP), Switzerland and you will find more information and awareness via the websites below.
The ICEP is charged with the responsibility of finding bank accounts in Switzerland and Europe in general belonging to non-Swiss indigenes, which have remained dormant since World War II. In January 13 2005, the Swiss bankers association published a list of dormant accounts originally opened by non-Swiss citizens. These accounts had been dormant since the end of World War II (May 9, 1945), mostly belonged to holocaust victims.
The continuing efforts of the independent committee of eminent persons have since resulted in the discovery of additional dormant accounts totaling 2700 in July 2005.The published lists contain all types of dormant accounts, including interest-bearing saving accounts, securities accounts, custody accounts and non interest bearing transaction accounts, numbered accounts are also included. Interest is paid on accounts that were interest bearing when established.
The Claims Resolution Tribunal (CRT) handling processing of all claims on accounts due for non Swiss citizens have discovered 3 dormant account in my bank and have ordered that we trace and pay back the inheritors of the accounts or in the absence of any documented inheritor pay back to the families of the depositors.
Of very much interest to me is the dormant account of Erin Scanlon with a credit balance of 11,000,000 US dollars plus accumulated interest. The beneficiary was murdered during the holocaust era, leaving no WILL and no possible records for trace of heirs. The claims resolution tribunal has been mandated to report all unprocessed claims for permanent closure of accounts and transfer of existing credit balance into the treasury of Switzerland government as provided by the law for management of assets of deceased beneficiaries who died interstate, i.e. living no will. Many people who have full records of their relatives’ bank details have successfully claimed their inheritance and paid in full. List of claimants who have been paid are listed on this websites: www.crt-ii.org
Been an insider in the bank I have all secret details & necessary contacts to enable you to be validated as claimant & the fund send to you without problem. Due to the sensitivity of my job I need a partner to process claim as beneficiary. All that is required is for you to provide me your details for processing of the necessary legal & administrative claim documents for release of claim amount to you. Provide me with your full name, address & telephone/fax. The money will be sent to via special arrangement on your name, because you will be acting as the next of kin to the deceased person. 75% of this money will be for my colleague and I, while 25% will be for your assistants.
You can find additional information about holocaust money through the
Internet at the following, websites: www.swissbankclaims.com.

I urge you to get back to me no matter your decision and kindly keep this information confidential and be assured that no risk involved!!
Waiting for your co-operation,
Hilary Benson

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