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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: "Rev Father Peter Basil" <fatherpeterbasil514@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 23:11:57 +0100
Subject: URGENT MESSAGE FROM REV. FATHER PETER BASIL

Rev' Father Peter Basil (Parish Priest)
St. Catherine's Catholic Parish
4 Lewens Lane,Wimbome
DORSET BH21 ILF London, UK
Fax 0044 871 264 0649
Fax 0044 871 264 0705

Dear Beloved,

On behalf of the trustees and executor of the estate of Late Sir. William
Smith, I wish to notify you that late Sir. Williams Smith, made you a
beneficiary to his Will. He left the sum of Two Million Five Hundred and
fifty thousand Pounds Sterling (£2,550.000.00 BPS) to you in the Codicil and
last testament to his Will.

This may sound strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and true.
Being a widely traveled man, he must have been in contact with you in the
past or simply you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends
abroad that wished you good. Sir. Williams Smith passed away peacefully in
the Lister Hospital London, after a short illness at the age of 88 years.

He was born May 10th 1915, died June 26th 2003, and his Will is now ready
for execution. Sir. Williams Smith, until his death was a very dedicated
Christian who loved to give out.

Sir. Williams Smith was a kind and generous-hearted man, a real gentleman
who had many friends here and abroad. According to him this money is to
support your activities and to help the poor and the needy in your Country.

Please If I reach you as I am hopeful; endeavor to get back to me as Soon as
possible, to enable the solicitor executing the Will to conclude his job.
You should forward along your telephone and fax Numbers, including your
present mailing address. Please response to via e-mail address for security
reason ( fatherpeterbasil5@excite.com )

I'm looking forward for your urgent response.

Yours in His service,
Rev' Fr. Peter Basil ( Parish Priest )

_________________________________________________________________
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