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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: "paulwalter" <paulwalter@terra.com.mx>
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 04:52:34 -0600
Subject: URGENT MESSAGE FOR YOU


Dear Friend,
I'm soliciting your utmost confidentiality in this Transaction. I am Mr.PAUL WALTER, Deposit Manager with Citicorp International Securities Finance Ltd. I came to you in my private search for a reliable person to Handle this confidential transaction, which involves huge sum of money to your country. The Proposition: A foreigner an American, late Morris Thompson who died On January 31 aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 261, which crashed into the Pacific Ocean not far from Los Angeles, while returning from a business trip.
He deposited with us at Citicorp International Securities Finance Ltd, and
had a trunk box worth US$18.2 Million, having heard of the tragic incident involving late Morris Thompson the finance institute now expects a next of kin as beneficiary. Valuable efforts have been made by Citicorp International Securities Finance management to get in touch with any of his family's but I Personally found out that he died with his wife, Thelma Thompson, and the only daughter Sheryl Thompson. The only name of next of kin given to us by late Morris Thompson unfortunately was with him in the same flight that crashed, and this is unknown to the finance firm. I'm taking this advantage in order to better my life and that of my family, I now decided to seek your permission to have you stand as next of kin to late Morris Thompson, so that the fund (US$18.2M) will be lifted in your favor and custody as the next of kin. All documents and proves to enable you get this fund will be carefully worked out, by the lawyer that will be employ to work on your behalf . You can take time and verify from the website as shown herein for confirmation of the crash, http://edition.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list I am assuring you that this transaction and its procedures is 100% legal and risk free involvement.
Your share stays while the rest will be in this ratio. The sharing of the fund between the two of us will be as follows: 30% of the total sum will go to you for your effort and commitment to the success of this transaction. 60% will be for us here, while 10% will be for any expenditure that might arise in the course of the project. The 10% will be deducted from the total sum before sharing, which will be also shared according to each side expenses that is (you and I). If this proposal is acceptable by you, kindly reply me immediately to enable me apply for the release and subsequent shipment of the fund in your favour. Please also send your name, your home/office address and phone numbers for easy communication also include name of your bank, address, account No. and account name, so that I can submit it to the finance home for necessary documentations in your favour.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated co-operation.
Yours faithfully,
Mr.PAUL WALTER,
Deposit Manager
Citicorp International Securities Finance Ltd.,
E:MAIL: paulwalter@fstmail.com

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