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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: "Barrister Joseph Appiah" <barristerjosephappiah@takemail.com> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2006 15:22:37 +0200
Subject: RE:your next of kin

Dear sir,

A National of United State of America (Engr. David brad) who used to work
with shell/oil Development Company as the chief Engineer died through a
car accident along Vianna Express way in Vianna- Austria, All occupants of the vehicle
unfortunately lost their lives, including Engr. David wife and three
children. Since then I have made several enquiries to the US embassy to
locate any of my late clients extended relatives, this has also proved
unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to
trace his relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of his family
but of no avail, hence I'm contacting you to assist in repatriating the
money that belong to my late client before they get confiscated or
declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.

Particularly, the Bank where the late Engr. David had an account valued
at about USD$10.5 million dollars has issued me a notice today base on
the fact that late Engr David was my client, to provide the next of kin or
have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 4
years, I am now seeking, your consent to present you as the next of kin of
the deceased, so that the proceeds of his account valued at $10.5
million dollars can be paid to your account and then you and me can share
the money. After due transfer of the fund into your nominated bank
account, we shall share it according to the ratio of 40% for me, 60% for you,
Endeavor to forward me the below information so as to enable us
proceed with the application procedure to the bank.

1. Your full names
2. Contact address
3. Telephone and fax number
4. Age
5. Profession

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal
through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Kindly gets
in touch with me so as to enable me obtain the text of application for
legacy claim in your name, for you to apply directly to the bank where
the fund was deposited.




Best regards

Barr. Joseph Appiah (Esq)






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