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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: THOMAS WEST <t_west_2@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: <thomaswest_attorney@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Jul 2007 03:56:25 -0600
Subject: I REQUEST FOR YOUR CONSENT IMMEDIATELY


Attention:Sir/Madam,Compliments of the day.I am Thomas West, Esq, and Principal attorney of Westfields &Associates UK and family attorney to the late Mr. Peter.My late client made a numbered time fixed deposit with a bank here in United Kingdom before his death.At the review of his account after his death, we found out that your name was registered as the possible next of kin who should be contacted in case of his death.Please, i advice that you get back to me immediately through my Private email:thomaswest_attorney@yahoo.com or my direct line :+447011120196 for further briefing and information on this subject matter.Have a nice day.Thomas West, Esq.
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