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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)
Date: 15 Nov 2008 13:10:17 -0000
Subject: ATTENTION:ALEXANDER


DEAR ALEXANDER, Sequel to your non response of our earlier letter toyou on behalf of the Trustees and Executors to the Will ofour late client Dr PHILLIP ALEXANDER.Who before his mostunfortunate death, deposited as family belongings in a bankin Hungary, the sum of Seventeen Million United States Dollars,with the hope of transferring it to his country as soon as heis on leave.  Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives forover 2 years now. I seek your consent to present you as theNext of Kin of the deceased ,since you have the same lastname as my late client, so that the proceeds of this depositbe SENT to your own benefit. All Legal documents to aid yourclaim of this fund and to prove your relationship with thedeceased will be arranged for. Your help will be appreciatedwith 40% of the total sum. All that I require is your honestcooperation to enable us see this deal through.Please accept my apologies, keep my confidence and disregard thisletter if you do not appreciate this proposition I have offered you.However, if you do please include your phone and fax number in yourresponse for better communication.You are obliged to act fast andcontact me via my private email address:jamesmark.0001@yahoo.com.cnRegards to you and your family. James Mark KISKORONA U.23, 1571 BUDAPEST,HUNGARY

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