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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: "barristerkenneth" <barristerkenneth@terra.com.mx>
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 04:23:48 -0600
Subject: LET WORK TOGATHER.


KENNELLY & CO, LEGAL FIRM.
34 LANDOR RD,LONDON,SW9
TEL.00447024078721

Dear Friend,

With compliments and respect please I beg your pardon for this unsolicited nature, it was out of desperation and Curiosity that made me to contact you I hope this mail will reach you in the best of health and business conditions and receive the most desired attention from you even as we have not had any previous correspondence before.

I am also aware that this is certainly an unconventional approach to start a relationship,but i believe as time goes on,you will realize the need for my actions,to introduce myself.I am Barrister Kenneth Wilson a solicitor-at-law.I'm the Personal Attorney to Mr.Mark Wunderlich,a national of your country,who used to work with shell development company in LONDON.UK. On the 2nd of may 2003, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident along BEDFORD Express Road.Unfortunately,all the occupants of the vehicle lost there lives and Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives,this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet,i try to locate any member of his family but of no avail, hence I contacted you through the help of a cousin that works in the BRITISH chamber of commerce,planning and industry.I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money that belong to my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.

Particularly, the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about$9.5 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide his Relation/next of kin otherwise his account will be confiscated within the next 21 official working days.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you bear the same last name with my clients,so that the proceeds of this account valued at $9.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money 55% to me and 40% to you,while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require, I have the certificate of deposit that can be used to back up any claim we may make.All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

The following information will be needed from you to enable us commence the transaction Immediately:
1)YOUR FULL NAME
2)YOUR OCCUPATION / AGE
3)CONTACT ADDRESS / TELEPHONE/FAX NUMBER

Looking forward to your swift response.
Best regards,
Barrister kenneth wilson(esq.)
NB:REPLY TO kennethwilsonesq@yahoo.co.uk

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