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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: "ahmed ruth" <ahmedruth577@unimail.mn>
Reply-To: william_william_ruth577@yahoo.fr
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:07:34 -0700
Subject: URGENT...Next of kin...URGENT


*Attn:Sir/Madam,*


*I am Barrister William Ruth, Solicitor. I am the Personal Attorney to
ENGR.T.Thomas, a national of United State of America, who used to work with
shell/oil development company in Nigeria as the chief Engineer. On the 2nd
of may 1999, my client ,his wife And their three children were involved in a
car accident along Sagbama Express Road.*


*All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I
have made several enquiries to their embassy to locate any of my clients
extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.*


*After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relative
sover the Internet, to locate any member of his family but of no avail,
hence I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money that belong to my
client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank
where this huge deposits were lodged.*


*Particularly, the Bank where the late decease had an account valued at
about 20 million dollars has issued me a notice today to provide the next of
kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working
days.*

*since i have been unsuccessful in locating the elatives for over 4 years
now seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased, so
that the proceeds of this account valued at $20 million dollars can be paid
to your account and then you and me can share the money. 55% to me and 40%
to you, while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government
mayrequire, As soon as you indicate your interest by sending below
information:*


*1. Your full name and address
2. Your telephone and fax number
3. Your company's name (If any)
4. Your Age
5. Your Occupation *


*All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this dealt
through. I have all the documents (DEATH CERTIFICATE AND DEPOSIT
CERTIFICATE) required to this transaction I guarantee that this will be
executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any
breach of the law.*


*call me on my to enable us discus about this deal so that i will give you
the contact of the bank where the money is deposited direct this is my
alternative mail address requested information via as soon as possible so
that we can proceed and after sending it urgently.
Best regards.*


*Barr:William Ruth.*


*Email:william_william_ruth577@yahoo.fr<Email%3Awilliam_william_ruth577@yahoo.fr>
*

*
*

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