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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: "Barr. Thomas" <office.file@orange.nl>
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:51:22 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Appointed As Next Of Kin.


Barrister Thomas Ekwem
Senior Advocate, International Legal Practitioner
T. Ekwem's chambers & Associate
plot 23/25 Air port Road Cotonou,Benin Republic
Email:thomasekwemlawfirm@myway.com
Good Day,
I must solicit your confidentiality and assure you that I am contacting you in good faith and this proposal will be of mutual benefit. I know that this an unsolicited way to start a relationship. However, this correspondence is unofficial and private, and should be treated as such.
I am barrister Thomas Ekwem, a solicitor and personal attorney to late Mr.Ron Kenneth, a citizen of your country. He was a Seasoned Contractor with Benin Cement Company in Benin Republic; who unfortunately died in the plane crash of Union Transport Africaines Flight Boeing 727 in Cotonou, Benin republic on the december 25,2003.
You will read more stories about the crash on visiting this website www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3353551.stm
My proposal is in respect of a certain fixed deposit made by my late client with a bank here for a period of six months on the June 1st 2003. This deposit is a total of $6M (US$6,000,000.00) and I intend to present you as the next of kin to my late client to enable us claim the funds before it is reverted to the banks treasure as unclaimed fund since my late client did not mention any next of kin in any of the deposit document and I have not been able to locate any of his extended relatives.
My suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin/beneficiary to the fund deposited by my late client since you have the same nationality and last name so that the proceeds valued at US$6M will be paid to you.Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue.
Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account, which you will send to the bank, we shall share in the ratio of 60% for me, and 40% for you. I have worked out a procedure that will ensure success, and as a lawyer, I will ensure that all our actions are within the confines of the law.
If you should be interested please, respond via my private email address as; thomasekwemlawfirm@myway.com with your telephone and fax number, and I will provide you with more details of this transaction and how to proceed.
Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.
Best Regards,
Thomas Ekwem
Attorney at Law.



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