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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: Patriciastaff Patriciastaff <patriciastaff12@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <barclaysbankplc_london@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:38:16 +0100
Subject: Barclays bank Update Information




BARCLAYS BANK PLC.



CLAPHAM JUNCTION BRANCH,
7 ST JOHNS HILL,
SW 11 1 TN, LONDON
WWW.barclaysbank.co.uk


REF:- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF (US$28,500,000.00) Attention: Sir/Madam, This is the second time we are notifying you about This said fund. After due vetting and evaluation of your Inheritance File which the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in conjunction with the Ministry Of Finance Of The Federal Republic of Nigeria Forwarded and Contracted us to see to your immediate payment of the Sum of USD28, 500, 00 from their Offshore Account with Us. We were meant to understand from our findings that you Have been going through hard ways by paying alot of Charges to see to the release of your fund (UD$28, 500, 000, 00), which has been delayed. This has Been the hand work of some miscreant elements from Nigeria We advice that you stop further communication with any Correspondence from Nigeria. The only thing required from you is to obtain Non-Resident Clearance Form/Receipt which we are not Asking you to pay the fee to us here in United Kingdom As the Government of Nigeria have paid us for Handling/processing of your payment with other Customers. We will help you to see that you obtain the form so That our bank will effect immediate transfer of your Inheritance sum (US$28, 500, 000, 00) into your Designated bank account. Should you follow up our directives, your fund will Reflect in your account within five Bank working days From the day you obtain this form. Do not go through Anybody again but through this Bank if you really want Your fund. Finally, you are advice to forward to this bank your Receiving Account. Where you want this fund to be Remitted. Yours sincerely, Mrs. PatriciaOwenHead, Private Banking Section.Barclays Bank Plc. London
_________________________________________________________________
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