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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: Davis Renies <bardavisconcept87@msn.com>
Reply-To: <johnstonhariford1000a@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:50:47 +0000
Subject: Urgent .......



From: Davis J. Reines (Esq.)
7a Docklands Street
London E16 2JE
Attn,
I am barrister Davis J. Reines (Esq.) a Solicitor & Financial Attorney. I was the personal attorney to a client who was an expatriate Oil consultant/contractor with British Gas in London. He made a numbered time (Fixed) deposit of Twenty five million United States of America Dollars in a bank in London, capital city of England with standing statement/agreement with the bank that allcorrespondences in respect to the fixed deposit contract must be sent to him through my humble chambers.
Upon maturity, the routine notification was sent to me that I dispatched to his forwardingaddress as usual without any reply. After a month, I sent a reminder which I received from the bank without any reply again.
Finally, I discovered from my client’s contract employers- that he died among in an auto crash.
On further investigations, I found out that he died without making any WILL and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless. I also discovered that he did not declare any kin or relations in all his officialdocuments, including his fixed deposit contract with the bank in London.
First, I am contacting you based on the official letter I just received from his bankers reminding me that law states that at the expiration of 5(five) years the money will revert to the ownership of the Government if I do not confirm the next of kin to claim the fund. Secondly, as a foreigner, to stand in as the next of kin to him so that the fruits of this old man’s labour will not go into the hands of some government officials. Note that this transaction is simple and risk free because I will provide expert legal services that will guarantee the successful execution of this deal. I wish to point out that after the claims, I would want 20% of this money to be shared among charity organizations, while the remaining 80% is shared equally between us. Most importantly, I would alsorequire your assistance towards investing my share in your country or anywhere as you may advice.
If you addcloves@yahoo.comre interested, please contact me immediately, upon your response, I shall provide you with more detailsand how we shall proceed with the claims. I expect you to observe utmost confidentiality and be rest assured that this transaction would be profitable for both of us. Awaiting your urgent reply.
Thanks & Regards
Barrister Davis J. Reines (Esq.)

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