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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. Andrew Plowman" <a.plow1@rya-online.net>
Reply-To: priandrewplowman@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 09 Nov 2007 09:20:04 GMT
Subject: CAN WE WORK TOGETHER?

5th Floor Cannon Bridge House
25 Dowgate Hill
London, EC4R 2SB
United Kingdom

Dear Friend,

Please accept my sincere apologizes if my email does not
meet your business or personal ethics. I will first
introduce myself as MR. ANDREW PLOWMAN, the Chief Auditor
with NATWEST BANK PLC, LONDON-UK. One of our accounts, with
holding balance of £12.500 000,000 (Twelve Million Five
Hundred thousand pounds Sterling) has been dormant and last
operated for years ago. From my investigations, the owner of
the said account,Is a foreigner by name MR. JOHN SHUMEJDA
who died along with his entire family in crash at Birmingham
Airport on 4th Jan, 2002. View this website for verification
http://www.cwn.org.uk/business/a-z/a/agco/2002/01/020104-air-crash.htm

Since then, nobody has done anything as regards the claiming
of this money, as he has no family member that has any
knowledge as to the existence of either the account or the
funds; I have confidently discussed this issue with some of
the bank officials and we have agreed to find a reliable
foreign partner to deal with. My proposition to you, is to
seek your consent to present you as the Next of kin and
beneficiary of this late client, So that the proceeds of
this account valued a huge sum shall be paid to you, and
then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed percentage
of 30% for you,While 60% for me and others involved, 10%
shall be used for miscelenious expenses while the remainder
shall be given to a reputable charity home because the money
is owned by a deceased person. This transaction is totally
free of risk and troubles as the fund is legitimate and does
not originate from drug, money laundry, terrorism or any
other illegal act, funds will be released to you after
necessary processes have been followed. Let me hear from you
as soon as you get this message, so we can proceed. Reply
through my private email address
andrewplowman009@yahoo.co.uk

Best regards,
Mr Andrew Plowman.
.........................................................................................
NOTE: This message is highly confidential to you only. If,
for any reason, you are not capable to handle this REAL and
GENUIE transaction, get to my knowledge and don't disclose
it to anyone else Please.


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