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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: "DR.MRS MERCY UBANNA" <me_con106@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <mercyubanna@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 20:52:29 +0100
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION NEEDED.



From Dr.MRS MERCY UBANNA.Auditing and Account managerWest African Bank BeninPhone:+229 93 00 02 01.Email:mercyubanna@yahoo.fr
Dear Friend,
I am Dr MRS MERCY UBANNA, the director in charge of auditing and accounting section of West African Bank Benin,Cotonou,Republic of Benin, West Africa, and also a special account officer of Mr. Marcus Brenner,an American.He was a seasoned contractor with Benin Cement Company, Cotonou, who unfortunately died in a plane crash of Union Transport Africaines Flight Boeing 727 in Cotonou, Republic of Benin on 25th December, 2003.
You will read more stories about the crash on visiting this website:1.www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3555201,00.html2.www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/
Before his death on the 25th December 2003, Mr.Marcus Brenner has a fixed deposit account with the bank and no other person know about this account or have any information relating to this account.The account has no beneficiary nor did next-of-kin other than him and my investigation reveal that his supposed next-of-kin died along with him in the crash.Since then, I have made several enquiries to locate any of his extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to contact you.
I'm contacting you to assist in remittance of a dormant fund as the next of kin left behind by Mr.Marcus Brenner so as not to allow the bank confiscate or declare the funds unserviceable according to Benin Republic financial law on unclaimed bills which the government usually map out for the purchase of ammunitions which are the major course of connflicts in the west of Africa.
Consequently, I'm seeking your consent to present you as the next-of-kin of the deceased so that the outstanding fixed deposit (US$32.3M) will be remitted into any designated accounbt of yours to be shared by both of us in the ratio of 50% to me and 40% for you and 10% for any expenses that will be incured during the transaction like phone bills etc.I have all necessary legal documents to back up this claim.
All that is required of you is absolute honesty, total commitment, co-operation & absolute confidentiality.Be rest-assured that this transaction will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect both parties from breach of the law and it is 100% risk free and attracts no authorities and every information you will require as the next of kin will be forwarded to you after your final acceptance to help me champion this deal.
If this proposal is acceptable to you, kindly email your following information to me:a. Full Name(s)b. Direct phone & fax number(s)c. Your direct email & any other information you may deem helpful.
Thank you for your cooperation until I read from you.
Sincerely yours,Dr.MRS MERCY UBANNAemail:mercyubanna@yahoo.fr
_________________________________________________________________
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