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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: "Mr Paul Mbatha" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paul.mbatha00@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2009 08:21:41 -1200
Subject: ABSA BANK SOUTH AFRICA.

ABSA BANK SOUTH AFRICA.
VOLKAS CENTRE,
230 VAN DERWALT STREET.
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA.

Good Day,

A customer of ours who may relate to you (perhaps) in South Africa died eight
years ago in a tragic plane crash leaving behind an estate/capital (US$14.5M
with interest) in a bank here where I work as an external auditor,till date
nobody has come forward or put application for the claim. Please log on to this
websites for more information about the plane crash tragedy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

During the bank private search recently for the late gentle man relatives your
name and email contact was among the findings that matches the same surname as
the deceased (name WITHELD for security reason) who died intestate with no Will
or next of kin. To maintain the level of security required I have intentionally left out
the final details.

I urge you to come forward since I can provide you with the details needed for
you to claim the estate/capital so that I can be gratify by you, in this way
$5,800,000.00 for you and $8,700,000.00 for me and my colleagues that will do
all the crucial part in the bank to have the claim
release to you promptly.

To affirm your willingness and cooperation,please do so by replying me at my
private email (paul.mbatha00@gmail.com) with your

FULL NAME
DATE OF BIRTH
TELEPHONE NUMBER
FAX NUMBER
PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS
POSTAL ADDRESS.

I do expect your prompt response.
Thank you,
Mbatha Paul(Mr.)
Email :paul.mbatha00@gmail.com

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