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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: "BROWN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <francobrown5@megafastmail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 22:50:10 -1200
Subject: IAM FRANCO BROWN

FRANCO BROWN & ASSOCIATES.
Unit 15 Cambridge Court, 210 Shepherds Bush Road,
London, , W6 7NJ - United Kingdom.
Private Tel: 44-7924068273.
Email: francobrown5@megafastmail.com
 
Attention: Sir/Madam,
                                                    
               NEXT OF KIN TO MY LATE CLIENT.
I am Mr. FRANCO BROWN, a solicitor at law. I was the personal attorney to Richarson Jessica Walker, a National of your country who used to work with an oil servicing Firm here in London, United Kingdom {UK}, after which was referred to as my client. Late Richarson Jessica Walker 42 years of age made a fixed deposit of fund valued at Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only {US10,500,000.00} with a Security Company/Finance Firm in Europe and unfortunately he lost his life in an earthquake in Italy on the 8th April 2009 (View: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/08/2537763.htm).
 
He left no clear beneficiary as Next of Kin except some vital documents related to the deposit still in my possession.
 
Recently, the governing body of the Security Company/Finance Firm contacted me on this matter, requesting that I should notify the next of kin of my late client {Late Richarson Jessica Walker} to claim the funds and I am yet to provide the Next of Kin to lay claims to the Fund. I know that my client had no living next of kin but I went ahead and made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my late clients extended relatives but this has proved unsuccessful. Under a clear and legitimate agreement with you, I seek your consent to present you as the next so that my late client's fund will not be confiscated by the Security Company.
You and I can share the money, you will be entitled to 40% of the total fund for your role as the relative and next of kin of my late client, 50% for me while 10% is to be marked out for any expenses that will be incurred during the clearance or process of transfer of the fund to your bank account. Be informed that there is no risk involved as all necessary legal documents that will be used to back you up as the legal beneficiary and next of kin of my late client will be procured.
All I require is your sincerity, honesty, co-operation and utmost good faiths to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Kindly get in touch with me by my e-mail (francobrown5@megafastmail.com) or telephone to enable us discuss further. You may also send your private telephone number so that I can call you.
Meanwhile, these are the needed information from you to enable us commence progress on this transaction:
1. Your direct telephone number.
2. Your full address.
3. Your full banking details.
4. Copies of your identity {By e-mail attachment}.
Do not forget that a transaction of this magnitude require utmost confidentiality and sincerity.
I look forward to your urgent response.
Thank you,
MR. FRANCO BROWN.
Private Tel: 44-7924068273
 

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