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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: Michael Attah <micattah08@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <m-attah@excite.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:21:45 +0000
Subject: From Attah, Please Respond (ASAP)


BARRISTER MICHAEL O. ATTAH & PARTNERS.Attorney & Counselors OF THE SUPREME HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA7/14 IMB PLAZA VICTORIA ISLANDLAGOS-NIGERIA.Email: attahlegaloffice@aeiou.pt

Dear Friend,

Compliments of the day and I hope that this letter will not constitute any sort of embarrasement to you, my sincere apology. Firstly, let me start by formally introducing myself to you. I am Barrister Michael O. Attah, a private attorney to late Engr Mark, a national of your country, who used to work with an Oil Servicing and Equipment Leasing Company here in Nigeria as an Oil expertriate and a businessman. Here-in-after shall be referred to as my client. On the 26th of june 2002, my client, his wife and their two Children were involved in a car accident along Lekki-Aja express-road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. After this painful and unfortunate incident, I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my client extended relatives, but this has proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts in locating any of Late Engr Mark's extended relatives or anybody that might be related to him for over 4-years now, I decided to track his last name over the Internet to locate any member of his family or anyone that might be related to him hence I contacted you. The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin soonest or have the account confiscated or declared unserviceable. And now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased so that the proceeds of his deposit account valued at US$15.000,000 (Fifteen Million United States Dollars Only) lodged particularly with the "BANK OF INDUSTRY Ltd"(BOI) can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money. 65% to me and 35% to you.
Presenting you as the next of kin and the true beneficiary of my late client inheritant and couple with the fact that you are a foreigner and also share the same last name with my late client, will speedily facilitate the realize of this fund by the Bank. I am ready to re-negotiate the mode of sharing with you. Thereafter, I will visit your country for the disbursement/investing of my share.
I hope I have been explicit enough. If you find this proposal suitable for you, do get back to me with the following informations: Your full Name and Contact Address, Your private Telephone and Fax Number for communication purposes Your Age, Your Occupation and Position.
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. Send your Response to my private/confidentialmail-to: attahability002@yahoo.it

Hoping to receive a positive response from you.Best regards.

Barrister Michael O. AttahAttorney & Counselors At Law.
_________________________________________________________________
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