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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: kenneth ekeh <barri_ekeh44@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 10:03:21 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF KENNETH EKEH CHAMBERS


FROM THE DESK OF KENNETH EKEH CHAMBERS
THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS
# 12 ISAAC JOHN STREET
IKEJA, LAGOS NIGERIA.
ATTN:

I crave your indulgence for the unsolicited nature of this letter, but it was borne out of desperation and current development. Please bear with me. I am Barrister Kenneth Ekeh a solicitor at law. I was the Personal attorney to a national of your country, who used to own an oil servicing company in Nigeria Herein after shall be referred to as my client.On the 21st of November, 2002.my client his wife and their three Children were involved in a car accident along Shagamu express road. All occupants of the vehicle
unfortunately lost their lives.

I know that my client had no living kin but I went ahead and made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but this has proved unsuccessful. I only did so to be double sure of this fact.After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet, hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist me in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged, particularly the Zenith Bank Nig. Plc. where the deceased had an account valued at about $15.7Million US dollars.

This account will be confiscated after three years if not claimed and We have just about two months. 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 have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at $15.7Million US dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money. 30% shall be for you because you are the relative of my late client and 60% for me while 10% is earmarked for expenses that will be incurred during the process of Transfer of the fund. I can procure all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.

All I require is your honest co-operation 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. Please get in touch with me by e-mail to enable us discuss further. You may also send your phone number so that I can call you.

I look forward to your urgent response.

Best regards,
Barrister Kenneth Ekeh

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