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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: william smith <wil_smith74@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mamasmith1010@live.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 12:28:25 +0000
Subject: Very Urgent Attention,




Very Urgent Attention, Please permit me to introduce my humble self to you, I'm Mr. william smith, the International Relation's Manager of citi Bank Plc london. I 'm 43yrs old,Although we have not met before, I got your email address on the Internet, and my confidence reposed on you. I hope you read this message carefully and reply me immediately. We have a customer, a foreigner but based here in london his Name is Mr. Hamilton Creek. He is from Atlanta Georgia United State of America, but based here with his wife and his two children, Mr. Hamilton has been banking with our bank for the past years. In August 2003, while on his way to his house, Mr. Hamilton ran into a Trailer load of Groundnut Oil, and sustained very fatal injuries. He and the other members of his family died on the spot and their car went into flames, burning the whole occupants beyond recognition. The Board Of Directors and Management of citi bank PLC has mandated me to look for Mr. Hamilton Creek relations and next of Kin to come forward and claim Mr. Hamilton's fund deposited with us. Since August 2003 till date, I have been unable to contact any of his relations as he is domiciled here in london and it appears his immediate family are his only known relations. The reason why I contacted you is this, Mr. Hamiltons only son who is supposed to succeed also him also died in the mishap. Presently, I have not come up with any leads as nobody is coming forward to claim his money from our bank. It is the policy of the bank to return such unclaimed deposits to the coffers of the citi Bank london. In the Light of the above, I want you to stand as a front as the Relation of the Late Mr. Hamilton Creek and I shall put up the claim for the payment of the deposit he made in your name as his relation. The Domiciliary bank account he was operating with us is valued at US$7.5M Nine Million Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand .This money is still in his account and remains unclaime. This transaction that I am proposing is very easy and simple, and it is completely risk free. As manager for International Relations with the bank, I shall make the recommendations which the bank shall implement in the matter. The Board of Directors of the Bank are waiting for my report so as to act on it. That is my proposal. We will share 60-40; you will take 40% of the US$7.5M. while the Balance of 60% will be mine. I will be waiting for your immediate response so as to enable me work out the details. Thanks and have a nice day. Yours Sincerely, Mr. william smith

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