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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: john k <john_k12@msn.com>
Reply-To: <ohn_kerry2007@myway.com>
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:38:26 +0000
Subject: Let me hear from you



Attn: RE: TRANSFER OF £156,000,000. 00 I am quite Sure that this mail Will come to you as a surprise Since I have not been having previous correspondences with you. First, let me start by introducing myself as Mr.John Kerry, a staff in the Private Clients Section of a well-known bank, here in London, England. One of our accounts, with holding balance of £156,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Six Million Pounds Sterling) has been dormant and last operated three years ago. From my investigations and confirmation,the owner of the said account, a foreigner by name John Shumejda died on the 4th of January 2002 in a plane crash in B irmingham; you can view this CNN website . <http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/01/04/england.plane/> The account has no beneficiary and no other person knows about this account. I am in close contact with the bank manager here who is my partner and is willing to approve the transfer to any reliable and trustworthy foreigner with foreign bank account because the former owner of the a/c is a foreigner. The account has no writen or oral WILL attached to it. I will provide the necessary information and documents needed in order to claim this money if you agree to receive this fund in your account pending my arrival in your country for sharing and on receipt of your Bank Account Details where the fund will be transferred. We will start with FIFTY SIX MILLION POUNDS. At the end, 65% will be for me, 25% for you and 5% will be set aside for expenses incurred on both sides during the tansfer.Another 5% will go to the charity. There is no risk involved as every arrangement has been perfected. Office: +447024099220Cell: +447045708071 Your cooperation is highly needed. Yours Faithfully, MR.John Kerry

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