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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: james bringgs <jamesbriggs1001@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:54:18 +0100
Subject: URGENT.



JAMES BRIGGS AGENCY (REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY)
JAMES A. BRIGGS PHD.


James Briggs- Barrister At Law Bankruptcy Law,
Estate Planning, Elder Law, Family Law,
commercial litigation , Immigration & Naturalization Law,
Probate & Estate Administration, Wills, Taxation Law.
23 Adeyinka Close, Victoria Island Lagos, Nigeria.




Dear Partner,
Good day, Firstly, I apologize for sending you this sensitive information via e-mail instead of a Certified mail/Post-mail. This is due to the urgency and importance of the information. Hence, this letter to you. I humbly crave your indulgence to read this e-mail with all seriousness of purpose devoid of any doubt in your mind because this project is based on Trust, Confidentiality and Sincerity of purpose in order to have an acceptable meeting of the minds. My name is James Adolf Briggs. I am a fifty Seven (57)year old established Lawyer. One of my clients was late Engr. Jim Berry,(Now deceased) hereinafter shall be referred to as "My Client". Six years ago, My Client successfully executed a contract for the Federal Government of Nigeria worth US$7.5 million dollars. A part payment of USD$2 Million dollars was paid to my client, while the balance of USD5.5 million Dollars was still unpaid before My client died in a ghastly Car crash.

However, all my efforts to locate the possible next of kin proved abortive. Untill his sudden demise, He was not married and was 44years old. NOW THE CRUX OF THIS E-LETTER is that The Federal Government is fully paying all Contractors who have successfully executed their contracts. My client is among those due to be paid in this third quarter payment schedule. As his personal attorney before his sudden death, I have been officially notified and instructed to forward particulars of my client's next of kin so that he/she can be paid the outstanding USD$5.5 Million dollars. I know he did not leave any valid WILL because He died interstate. This funds will therefore be paid to whosoever I present to the government or his bank as the possible next of kin . In a nutshell, I intend to channel this funds to the account of a clever but reliable person who upon successful payment of the money, will earn 50% thereof, while 50% will be for me. Your nationality does not matter as all modalities have been perfected and put in place to pay whoever I present as the next of kin. This transaction will take about 8 working days only to conclude as soon as you indicate your interest. For prompt action, contact me urgently by email through: jamesbriggs2020@yahoo.fr actualisation of this project as soon as I receive your response. Please, do accord this transaction the confidentiality it deserves. Best Regards, Barrister James Adolf Briggs. (Principal Partner)
NB You don't have to be a blood relative of my client to claim this inheritance. Pls reply so that I can elucidate on how to proceed next.
Furnish me with your:
(1) NAMES AND ADDRESS
(2)OCCUPATION AND AGE
(3)TELEPHONE
_________________________________________________________________
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