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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: bishop cole <bishop_cole31@msn.com>
Reply-To: <bishopcole3@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 02:18:23 +0000
Subject: INVITATION TO ACT AS NEXT OF KIN



From:Barrister Bishop Cole Esq.,
Legal Practitioner,
Solicitor and Advisor.
101 park lane,
Lagos-Nigeria

INVITATION TO ACT AS NEXT OF KIN
...............................

Greeting!


I write this letter in confidence, believing that it will reach you in high spirit and that you will maintain the level of

confidence and trust that this transaction requires. Although,this proposal may make you apprehensive and worried, but I assure you that after carefully reading it, you will understand what it is all about.


Before proceeding,I wish to introduce myself,I am a barrister at law and the principal consultant of Ivory Chambers (LEGAL PRACTITIONERS).


I am the legal adviser and counsel to Mr. Thomas Cronin (deceased) an American oil merchant and expatriate contractor who used to work with Zenith Oil and Gas Company here in Nigeria,herein shall be referred as my client.


Late Mr. Thomas Cronin and his entire family (wife and two children) were involve in a Plane crash on 29 Oct 2006 which claimed all occupant.


Check the websites below for the story of the explosion
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/30/world/africa/30nigeria.html
http://www.chinadaily.net/world/2006-10/30/content_719413.htm


Had an account with Union Bank Plc here in Nigeria valued at about USD$18.M (Eighteen Million Dollars) which the bank now expects a next-of-kin to claim as beneficiary.


I have made valuable efforts to get in touch with any of the Cronin's family or relatives but there has been no success, I have even written to the embassy for assitance but that did not also yield any success.


It is because of the perceived possibility of not being able to locate any of late Mr. Thomas Cronin's next-of-kin who died with his wife and two children are supposed to be the next of kin that I am now contacting you.


The bank wants to declare the funds"UNCLAIM"in another 3 months from now,if nobody stands as the next of kin and will subsequently donate it to the Red Cross and the Trust Fund of the Brain Child of late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, Nigerian's former first Lady which to me is fraudulent.


In order to prevent this, I now seek your permission to have you stand as the next-of-kin to Late Mr. Thomas Cronin so his deposited funds of USD$18.M would be released and paid to you as late Mr.Thomas Cronin next of kin.


All documents to enable you get this fund will be carefully worked out and I guarantee that this transaction will be executed legitimately within the legal frame of the law to protect you from any legal consequences before and after the transaction is achieved.


If this proposal is acceptable to you, then take advantage of the trust we have bestowed on you, kindly send your reply as quickly as possible to my private email address: bishopcole3@yahoo.com


As soon as I receive your acceptance in principle,I will furnish you with the necessary modalities for commencement.


Thank you in advance for your anticipated co-operation.


Yours sincerely,
Barrister Bishop Cole Esq.





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