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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: "Mr.franklin como" <c.como.franklin.4@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <franklin_como90@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2007 18:02:59 +0200
Subject: GET BACK TO ME......


Atten,

RE: TRANSFER OF 36,759,000.00 MILLION POUNDS TO YOURACCOUNT. My name is Mr. Franklin Como. and I work in the International Operation Department in a Bank here in London.
I feel quite safe dealing with you in thisimportant business. Though, this medium (Internet) hasbeen greatly abused, I choose to reach you through itbecause it still remains the fastest medium ofcommunication. However, this correspondence isunofficial and private, and it should be treated assuch. At first I will like to assure you that thistransaction is 100% risk and trouble free to bothparties.WE WANT TO TRANSFER OUT MONEY FROM OUR BANKHERE IN LONDON. THE FUND FOR TRANSFER IS OF CLEANORIGIN. THE OWNER OF THIS ACCOUNT IS A FOREIGNER, a program leader.Until his death,The Late PrimeMinister, Mr. Rafik Hariri, has a hugeinvestment herein the United Kingdom and all over theworld, as amatter of fact he has the sum of(THIRTY SIX MILLIONSEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY NINE THOUSAND POUNDSSTERLINGS) in his account here in London which hedeposited as a family valuables.The family do not knowabout this deposit.I was on a routine inspection thatI discovered a dormant domiciliary account with a BAL.Of (THIRTY SIX MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY NINETHOUSAND POUNDS STERLINGS) on further discreetinvestigation, I also discovered that the accountholder has passed away (dead) leaving no beneficiaryto the account.

The bank will approve this money to any foreignerbecause the former operator of the a/c is a foreigner.I am certainly sure that nobody will come again forthe claim of this money. A foreigner can only claimthis money with legal claims to the account Holder,therefore I need your cooperation in this transaction. I will provide all necessary information needed inorder to claim this money, Hoping in God that you willnever let me down now and in future.o.k!Rafik Bahaa Edine Hariri (November 1, 1944 - February14, 2005), married to Nazek Audi Hariri, was aLebanese self-made billionaire and business tycoon,and was five times Prime Minister of Lebanon(1992-1998 and 2000-2004) before his last resignationfrom office on October 20, 2004.The late Rafik Hariridied on February 14, 2005 when explosives equivalentto around 300 kg of C4 were detonated as his motorcadedrove past the Saint George Hotel i n the Lebanesecapital, for more information please log onto(http://www.hariri.info) I WANT TO TRANSFER THISMONEY INTO A SAFE FOREIGN ACCOUNT ABROAD BUT I DON'TKNOW ANY FOREIGNER WHOM I CAN TRUST, I KNOW THAT THISMESSAGE WILL COME TO YOU AS A SURPRISE AS WE DON'TKNOW OURSELVES BEFORE, BUT BE SURE THAT IT IS REAL AND A GENUINE BUSINESS.

I CONTACT YOU BELIEVING THAT YOU WILL NOT LET ME DOWNONCE THE FUND GOES INTO YOUR ACCOUNT. Let me hear fromyou URGENTLY by Email.
Regards,Mr.Franklin Como.
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