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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: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <samwilliams001@msn.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:56:46 +0000
Subject: Investment Portfolio/Proposal From Mr.Samuel



From: MR SAMUEL WILLIAMSCustody and Clearing DeptHBOS (Halifax Bank of Scotland Plc0171-173 Putney High StreetLondon, United Kingdom.+44 704 572 7975www.halifax.co.ukMy Dear friend,My
name is MR. SAMUEL WILLIAMS, I work with the HBOS as the Regional
manager/External Auditor, in the Western Region of WEST LONDON.I am 53
years old with three kids. I have packaged a transaction that will be
of mutual benefit to us.As the branch manager of HBOS Bank of
united kingdom, it is my duty to send a financial report to my head
office in the capital city, at the end of each financial year.
Following the release of the second quarter financial report, ending
June 2006, I discovered that my branch made Fifteen Million,Eight
Hundred and Fifty Thousand British Pounds Sterling.(£15,850,000.00);
from the transactions accruing to the account of the Inland Revenue
Service (IRS). This was not detected by the renowned auditors from my
head office.I have moved the funds into what the Bank call Escrow
Account with no beneficiary.Meanwhile as you know I can not be
directly connected to this money for obvious reasons. So my contacting
you is to assist me receive the funds in your Bank account in your
country; which I know is possible if youliaise properly with me and get 35% of the total funds as your benefit.The
transfer would be made via swift and There are practically no risks
involved,it will be a Bank-to-Bank wired transfer.All I really need
from you is to stand and claim as the original depositor of this fund.
I will compute your particulars as the person who made the deposit in
my branch, so that my head office will immediately order the transfer
to your designated Bank Account.I am also willing to invest my own part of the money intoany moving business in your country after the accomplishmentof this project.I will appreciate it if you are willing to work with me in thisproject. My private email address is (samwilliams02@msn.com)and my cell phone is +44 704 572 7975 . Mail me if you think we can work together so that we can go over the details.Please indicate your interest in coming into partnershipwith me by providing me with your full information below:FULL NAMEADDRESSAGESEXOCCUPATIONMARITAL STATUSTELEPHONE/FAX NUMBER.Yours truly.MR. SAMUEL WILLIAMS,

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