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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: Marcel Eze <hon.barr_marceleze90@msn.com>
Reply-To: <hon.barr_marceleze2004@yahoo.fr>
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:00:26 +0000
Subject: VERY URGENT REPLY NEXT OF KIN



MARCEL EZE & CO.CHAMBERS,L.L.B.L.L.M B.L LEGAL PRACTITIONERS,SOLICITORS AND CONSULTANTS,MEMBER CONSTITUTION DRAFTING COMMITTEE 1995.PLOT 121,COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC. Dear Friend, I am calling from Benin Republic West Africa.I am Barrister Marcel Eze,an English speaking Beninoise, Solicitor and Financial Attorney/Consultant.I was moved to contact you based on the present condition of things here.There is a foreigner who registered with my Legal firm as his personal Attorney and he was a stock broker as well as a one time secret agent in importing oil from overseas for our former Ministers.My client was also a Diamond/Gold Merchant. So,on 2nd June 2001 my client,Mr.George,made a Fixed deposit for US$36,400,000.00(Thirty Six Million,Four Hundred Thousand US Dollars Only)with a Bank here in Benin,with standing statement/agreement with the bank that all correspondences 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,which I dispatched to his forwarding address as usual without a 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 employee that he died among many others on Sept.11,2001 Terrorist attack.He died without making any WILL and all attempts to trace his relatives was fruitless. I also discovered that he did not declare any kin or relations in all his official documents,including his fixed deposit contract with the bank.Hence I seek your consent to present you to this bank as the next of kin based on the official letter I just received from his bankers reminding me that BENINOISE LAW states that at the expiration of (8) years the money will be reverted to the ownership of the BENINOISE Government if I do not confirm the next of kin to claim the fund. Consequently,my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to my deceased client since you shares the same surname and also from this same country so that the fruits of this old man's labor will not go into the hands of some corrupt 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.If you are interested,please contact me as soon as possible through phone,I shall provide you with more details and 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.contact me through this my private email address; hon.barr_marceleze@yahoo.fr Thanks as I await for your reply. Best Regards,Hon.Barrister Marcel EzePhone no +229-93905399

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