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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: bala martins <bala@balamartins1.orangehome.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:39:26 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Dear Konings


SECURITY CODE: CTB-C02EXN CABLE-Cititrust _ Financebank
FROM THE DESK OF: MR. BALA MARTINS
CITITRUST FINANCE BANK.
MODERN ROAD,2ND AVENUE,
MARYLAND, LAGOS STATE,
NIGERIA.
Dear Konings
Before I start, I must first apologize for this unsolicited mail to you. I am aware that this is certainly an unconventional approach to establishing a relationship, but you will realize the reason for my action after going through this email. My name is Bala Martins, the Managing Director of the CITITRUST FINANCE BANK CFB. I am writing in respect of a foreign customer of my bank (Anthony P Konings of your country) who had a plane crash and died (NOT MARRIED) on 4th of May 2002 in a local plane crash at Kano State, which enrooted from sokoto to Abuja (the capital city of Nigeria), all occupants in the Plane lost their lives, unfortunately on this same flight were other dignitaries like the former Nigeria Sports Minister and a host of others.
The following websites could be referenced:
http://www.usafricaonline.com/ngrkanocrash.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1968616.stm
There is an account opened in my bank in the year 1996 by this great late INDUSTRIALIST/FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR who died without a written or oral WILL attached to the account.
Since his death, I have personally watched and waiting with keen interest to see the next of kin but no one has come or show-up to be his next of kin to claim his fund, and no other person knows about this account or anything concerning it, the account has no other beneficiary and until his death and he was also the manager of his company.
The banking ethics here does not allow such money to stay more than two years without claim, hence the money will be recalled to the Government treasury as unclaimed after this long period of dormancy.
It is in light of these development that I am compelled to seek your indulgence and active participation in a well thought out scheme for you to act as the NEXT OF KIN and foreign beneficiary of the fund from the deceased, since no one has come up to be the next of KIN.
The total amount involved is $11,560,000 Million (US DOLLARS). I wish to start the first transfer with half of the total fund and upon successful transaction without any disappointment from your side; you shall re-apply for the transfer of the remaining balance into your account.
Should my proposal appeal to you, and upon the receipt of your reply, I can obtain and manipulate all vital document necessary for a successful transfer of the fund into your bank account. I will also send you detailed information about the transaction.
I will not fail to bring to your notice that this transaction is 100% risk free and that you should not entertain any fear as all modalities for fund transfer can be finalized within 14 banking days, after you apply to the bank as the beneficiary of the fund from the deceased.
I look forward to your quick response. Let trust and honesty be our watch ward.
Please endevour to send your reply to --- balamartins3@hotmail.com
Best Regards.
Mr. Bala Martins

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