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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: "Patrick Pam" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pampampatrick01@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:38:42 +0100
Subject: PROMPT RESPONSE NEEDED

MANAGING PARTNER
PATRICK PAM MQC
Berkshires House,
168-173 High Holborn,
London WCIV 7AA
United Kingdom.
+44-704-571-0980
 
 
Dear Friend,
 
 
On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Engr. Phillip Randall; I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter returned undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you again by this same email address on the WILL. I wish to notify you that late Engr. Phillip Randall made you a beneficiary to his WILL. He left the sum of 3 Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars (USD$3,100.000.00) to you in the codicil and last testament to his WILL
 
This may sound strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and true. Being a widely traveled man, he must have been in contact with you in the past or simply you were recommended to him by one of his numerous friends abroad who wished you good or he got your information from somewhere, which was not made clear to me. Late Engr. Phillip Randall, until his death was a member of the Helicopter Society and the Institute of Electronic & Electrical Engineers. He had a very good heart and loved to give out to people in need and also to charity organizations.
 
 
His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time. Late Engr. Phillip Randall died on the 13th day of December, 2005 at the age of 80 years, and his WILL is now ready for execution. According to him this money is to support his intended humanitarian activities and to help the poor and the needy in our society, but hence he was unable to accomplish that wish due to his age, he therefore wish that this fund be released to you so that you may reach out to others.
Please if I reach you this time as I am hopeful, endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job.
 
 
Look forward to hearing from you soon,
 
 
Yours in Service,
 
Barrister Patrick Pam MQC

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