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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: Dan Johnson <danjohnx4@msn.com>
Reply-To: <dan_johnsonid@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:14:05 +0000
Subject: Hi



Hi I am Barr. Dan Johnson, solicitor and notary public,the personal
attorney to Mr. Mark David ,a national of your country. On the 21st
of April 2004, my client, his wife and their only son were involved
in a car accident along Accra / Kumasi express road. Unfortunately
they all lost their lives in the event of the accident, since then i
have made several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended
relatives and this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several
unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the
Internet, to locate any member of his family but of no avail, hence I
contacted you.

I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left
behind before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the
security where my client lodge these huge deposits US$7.5million
United State Dollars. Particularly, Since I have been unsuccessful in
locating the relatives for over some years now, I seek your consent to
present you as the next of kin of the deceased, We will share fortune
thus 50% for me and 45% to you, while 5% should be for expenses or tax
as your government may require. I have all necessary legal documents
that can be used to backup the claim. All I require is your honest
cooperation to enable us see this deal through. Call me with this
number +233 209-563-427. or email me your most reachable telephone
number to contact you. e-mail: danjohnsonid@lawyer.com

Regards

Dan

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