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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: <innocent_atmuni1@sify.com>
Reply-To: <innocent_atmdept@live.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:33:30 -0800
Subject: Re: Estate Inquiry

Innocent stephen (Queens Counsel)

76A Belsize Lane

London NW3 5BJ

United Kingdom.



Dear Beneficiary,

Re: Estate Inquiry

It has come to our notice that you are the beneficiary of the Estate of our late client as therein contained in his last will

and testament.

The passage of time is very important when it comes to making claims and filing lawsuits – especially in the context of

estate and probate litigation. If you believe you have a case, you should contact us immediately; in order to avoid having

your claim barred under applicable statute of limitations or other claims period deadlines.

Please be advised, however, that by simply emailing us, we are not your counsel. Only upon the entry of a written engagement

agreement do we become your counsel. All inquiries are considered highly confidential, are subject to conflict clearance and

the entry into a written retainer agreement.

We are not your counsel unless and until a written retainer, agreement is entered into between all parties. All email

inquires received will be responded to. Please put “Estate Inquiry” as the subject of all emails. If you do not receive a

response from us by the end of the next business day, please call so that we may clear your email address from our email

filters. We will respond to all inquiries.

Visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15470556/

Sincerely Yours

Innocent Stephen

Anti-fraud resources: