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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: "hatman abdullah" <abdullahatman@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 02:01:32 +0800
Subject: Thanks For Your Interest


Dear Friend,

I am Barrister Hatman Abdullah of Hatman & Associate, a legal practitioner,
an attorney of a deceased client,who died in 2001,I was contacted by his
bank in Malaysia ,regarding my client's deposit of US$5.7million dollars, to
the bank many years back, I was informed by the bank manager that no one has
come for the fund.And the decision of the bank to close the account and
confiscate the fund.

I had made several efforts to locate his next of kin, but none exist.
As the deceased Attorney,with many years of experience,I choose to contact
you because you both shared the same last name.

I would like to seek your consent to present you as the beneficiary of this
fund, so that the proceeds will be paid to you, and then we have it to
ourselves. if you agree with this offer, I will provide all the necessary
documents of my late client and make all legal representations so as to
ensure full legal and regulatory compliance. It is my firm believe that
this transaction will be credible,legal, and profitable.
Further details will be giving as soon as I hear from you.

Yours Sincerely,
Barrister Hatman Abdullah Esq.
Attorney at Law

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