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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: "BARR DAIVDCHAMBER" <barr_box1@rediffmail.com>
Date: 30 Jan 2007 03:12:59 -0000
Subject: BUSINESS FOR OUR BENEFIT


DAVID CHAMBERS &amp; ASSOCIATES95,OKENLA CLOSE,VICTORIA-ISLAND,LAGOS,NIGERIA.PRIVAT: bar_law@zipmail.com.br

Good Day

This mail is not intended to cause any embarrassment in whatever form to you but i must solicit your confidentiality, i know a proposal of this magnitude will make anyone apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that it is sent in good faith and will be of mutual benefit for both parties,
I am Barrister Davidson Welsh,(Solicitor at law) and Personal Attorney to Mr. Kenneth, I got your name and e-mail address from the online classified posted on the net. I have decided to contact you purely on personal conviction of trust and confidence that we can co-operate with one another and do a very lucrative business for our mutual benefit.

The Business I am proposing to you is in respect of the sum of US$15.5million dollars deposited in&nbsp; the bank which belonged to my client, on 25th July,2000 my client an his wife were involved&nbsp; in a plane crash unfortunately all occupant lost their lives. My client is an Engineering Contractor with shell-Development Company and member of the BLUEBIRD OIL SERVICES LIMITED.)
I have made several efforts to contacting the family of my client, or his relatives, but all have proved abortive as he had no identifiable kin\'s men. This sum of US$15.5 million dollars/property has remained unclaimed ever since then and nobody has come forward as his next of kin. Since then I have made several enquiries to their embassy to locate any of my client\'s extended relatives, this effort has been unsuccessful. After several attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of his family but to no avail. The management under the influence of the chairman and the board of directors of the Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next-of-kin or have the account confiscated within the next thirty officials working days since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over six years, I seeking your consent to present you as the next of kin to my client, so that the proceeds of this account, valued $15.5M can be paid into!
your account. You should not worry about the different names between you and my client, you shall be compensated with 30% of the fund while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require.
All proof of claim and necessary documentation will be carefully worked out in your favor and i guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement. Consequently, if you find this proposal acceptable to you and you wish to assist me kindly reply&nbsp; with the following information so that we can proceed immediately with the processing of the transfer, Your full name and address/telephone and fax numbers, you can open a new account, all I require is your honest cooperation to enable us have this transaction accomplished.&nbsp;
Reply to this email: barr_privatebox@verizonmail.com
Yours Faithfully,Barrister Davidson Welsh

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