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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: william dorson <willydorson@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 17 May 2008 11:00:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL FILE


ATTN:
I am WILLIAM DORSON, the Director in charge of Auditing and Accounting section of Ghana Commercial Bank in West Africa and also Chairman of Investigating and Auditing Department of this Bank. With due respect, and regard I have decided to contact you on a Business Transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us and our families.
During our Investigation and Auditing in this Bank, my department came across a very huge sum of money belonging to one Mr. Morris Thompson of Fairbanks, Alaska a foreigner, who died on frebuary 4th 2000 in a plane crash Overseas and the fund has been dormant in his account with this Bank without any claim of the fund in our custody either from his family or relation because he did not indicate any next of kin to this account incase of death such as this. Although personally, I keep this information secret within myself and partners to enable the whole plans and idea be profitable and successful during the time of execution. The said amount is U.S $35m(Thirty Five Million United States Dollars). As it may interest you to know, I got your impressive information through one of my good friends who works with Chamber of Commerce on foreign business relations here in Accra-Ghana. It is him who recommended your person to me to be viable and capable to champion a business of
such magnitude without any problem.

Meanwhile as a Senior Staff in this bank, and the Director of Auditing and Accounting, I have in my possession all the necessary documents to perfect this deal by making you the bonafide next of kin whom this money will be transferred into his account. I need your assistance and co-operation to get this deal done. Because as a foreigner, you stand a better position to be presented through documentation as the next of kin since the deceased is also a foreigner, this is the reason why I could not do this deal alone as a Ghanian and a Blackman as well.

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 35% of the total sum as gratification, while 1% will be set aside to take care of expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone bills, while 64% will be for me and my partners. Please, you have been advised to keep "Top Secret" as we are still in service and intend to retire from service after we
conclude this deal with you. And I assure you that this transaction will not last more than 10 working days and you confirm the money in your account.

I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm the money in your account. And ask us to come down to your country for subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated and further investment, either in your country or any country you advice us to invest in. All other necessary vital information will be sent
to you when I hear from you.
I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating your wish in this deal. I am expecting your urgent reply as soon as you receive this message.
you can also visite the web site: http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/
Yours faithfully,
WILLIAM DORSON



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