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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: moritz_fitzgerrald@go.com (may be fake)
Reply-To: pb1759@hotbox.ru
Date: Sun, 16 Apr 2006 07:44:11 +0800
Subject: SWISS BANK ACOUNT FUNDS

Dear Friend

What I relate to you via this message is very urgent but I urge you to
Read on for your assistance. There exists a dormant account belonging
to a non-Swiss indigene since World War II.It may interest you to know
that in July of 1997, the Swiss Banker's 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).
Most belonged to Holocaust victims. The continuing efforts of various
Government set up committees have since resulted in the discovery of
additional dormant accounts -54,000 in December, 1999. The published
lists contain all types of dormant accounts, including interest-
bearing savings accounts, securities accounts, safe deposit boxes,
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
Tribunal handles processing of all claims on accounts due non-Swiss
Citizens. A dormant account holder (deceased) with a credit balance of
21,000,000 US dollar plus accumulated interest was discovered by me,
in my bank. The beneficiary was murdered during the holocaust era,
Leaving no WILL and no possible records for trace of heirs. The Claims
Tribunal has been mandated to report all unclaimed funds 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
(living no wills). Being an insider in the bank, I have all secret
details and necessary contacts for claim of the funds without any
hitch.
The funds will be routed via a private financial facility, being a
safe haven for the funds and we can share the funds and use in
investment of our choice. Due to the sensitive nature of my job, I
need a foreigner to HELP claim the funds. All that is required is for
you to provide me
with your details for processing of the necessary legal and
administrative claim documents for transfer of the funds to you, to
this regard, you
are expected to fill out a text form. I will pay all required fees to
ensure that the fund is transferred to a secured, numbered account in
your name, where you will be capable of accessing the funds and
gradually transferring to your country and other banks of choice in the
world. You can find additional information about unclaimed funds at
the following websites: http://www.swissbankclaims.com
www.wiesenthal.com
The Claims Processing Office has put funds in Escrow awaiting
submission of valid claims for necessary disbursement.
I find myself privileged to have this information and this is a great
opportunity of a life time of success without risks. Due to cautious
reasons, reply via email only. You may reply to me securely through
this email address(pb1759@hotbox.ru)
I await your urgent response to this proposal.

My Regards

Mr. Patrick Berger.



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