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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: larrysmth90@googlemail.com
Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:45:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: A CALL FOR TRUST


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:larrysmithy_2341@yahoo.com.co



- Let me start by introducing myself, I am Larry Smith, personal attorney to Mr. Hong Yuan, an expatriate who used to work with SHELL COMPANY, Here in NIGERIA. I am writing you this letter based on the latest development at the bank, which I will like to bring to your personal edification. I am writing you this letter with so much joy and excitement even though my heart goes out to the very powerful and distinguished gentleman who I was fortunate to have worked for and extremely privileged to have known for numerous years. In 2001, my client was going through a horrendous divorce in the United States of America and was on the verge of losing most of his estate to his vicious and diabolical wife. As a result of this alarming predicament, my Client came to me with a very brilliant idea. He transferred some funds, Ten million thousand dollars ($10m) to a fixed deposit account in my bank under an alias which only the two of us knew about as the confidentiality of the matter was necessary for his protection. Due to his untimely death in early 2002, the funds have been sitting in the account ever since and will continue to do so perpetually unless we do something about it. This is where you come in. I located you through an agency that helps seek people by their email. My client did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit. Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I would like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to our client so that you will be able to receive his funds. I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we can come out successful. All that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your Full Names, Contact Address and Telephone number so that I can commence on this matter in your favor. There is no risk involved at all I will prepare all the necessary documents. The allocation of our money will be as follows: 40% ($4m) to you for your part in this, 60% for me. I think this is extremely fair, as you have nothing to lose but just a little time, while on the other hand I am staking my flawless reputation among other things. And besides $4 million is no pocket change. Once you are approved, the entire transaction should take no longer than twelve business days after which we will go about our daily business, but just millions of dollars richer. As you can see this is easier than taking candy from a baby, but mind you, trust is something that is developed over time and that is something that we do not have. So I have to let you know that it will highly unfeasible to try to run away with the money because even though only you can transfer money in and out of your account. The money will be transferred from my bank to an account you will provide. So please, there should be no room for greed because ten million dollars can quench even the most insatiable desire for the almighty dollar. Again, I will be in charge of everything else. I will assume all responsibilities for this endeavor so you don't have to worry about any legal ramifications, just what you will do with all that money. Your urgent response is highly anticipated so please email me through my email address for more details on this transaction as soon as possible. This should be kept very secret and confidential. I believe you know. Kind Regards, Larry Smith.


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