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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: "Attorney Bill Owen" <billowen5@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: attorney_bill_owen@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sun, 03 Sep 2006 12:46:35 -0700
Subject: GOD BLESS AND HAVE A NICE DAY !

Greetings From Mr Bill,
 
Hope you are doing great and sound? I am  Bill Owen  Barrister at law and attorney to late Mr Wayne Harris,A Businessman otherwise known as my client who was based in the United Kingdom and died of complications from injuries sustained after a ghastly motor accident.
 
As the attorney to Sir Wayne Harris I was his confidant as he shared with me virtually everything about himself, his business and family. I was his attorney for 15years and during that period I wrote his WILL and was also named as the executor, which has since been fulfilled. I am also aware due to my closeness to him that the amount Ten Million Pounds he deposited with a bank in Europe was not willed out. He told me about this on his sick bed and even instructed that I should prepare a codicil to that effect, howe ver before I could finish my work he  died.
 
After his death, funeral and subsequent execution of his will I went into action to ascertain the information passed unto me by my client. My investigation conformed to the information; at that point I knew I had to do something to move the funds out of the bank and knowing that I cannot do this alone I have decided to contact you and seek your assistance and acceptance to be the next of kin to the estate.
 
Aside my humble self and you, the relationship manager (account officer) of my client knows about this, for he was very helpful during my discreet investigation, through him I was able to see the deposit paper work of the money which confirmed that there is no next of kin to the funds. It is necessary for us to move the money out of the bank on time because if we do not do this within the next two years the bank would regard the money as Lundry funds, which would give them the right to claim the mo ney.
 
I cannot move the money in my name because he is my client, for it could look suspicious, his account officer cannot do the same, hence the importance of your assistance. Have my assurance that there is nothing to fear about, as we also need your assurance that you would work with me without fear or favour to achieve our desired objective. The legal back up is no problem for I would be responsible. Since the codicil was not ready before his death, letter of administration without Will would be secured from the probate office, with this letter I would personally apply on your behalf to the bank for the release of the funds to you.
 
What I require from you to enable us achieve the above are your;
Names
Address
Date of Birth
Telephone and Fax numbers
 
Upon receipt of a confirmation of acceptance from you a sharing ratio would be worked out between the three of us and communicated to you along with my telephone number.in the light of above, your positive responses would be appreciated through my email(
attorney_bill_owen@yahoo.co.uk)
Take care and have a nice day.
 
Sincerely,
Bill Owen.
Bill Owen Solicitor And Advocate.

 


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