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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: "CHARLES RUSSELL LLP." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barr.charlesrusselesq@descriptivemail.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:51:15 +0100
Subject: THIS IS MY THIRD AND FINAL MAIL TO YOU.

Charles Russell LLP.
London Office  St James's (London),
8 - 10 New Fetter Lane,
London.
EC4A 1RS, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 (0)704 574 6532.
Fax:+44 (0)700 606 6349.
E-mail: barr.charlesrusselesq@descriptivemail.com
 
 
SUB: LATE SIR. JOHN PAUL GETTY'S WILL.
 
Season Greetings from Charles Russell LLP.
 
On behalf of the Trustees and Executors of the late British Philanthropist, Sir John Paul Getty Jr.,  I once again try to notify you as our email to you was returned as a failure delivery (undelivered), hence I hereby attempt to reach you via your e-mail address.
 
I wish to notify you that the late Sir J. Paul Getty Jr. made you one of the beneficiaries to his (WILL), he bequeathed the sum of Nine Million Seven Hundred and Eight Thousand Six Hundred and Ninety Two Great British Pounds Sterlings Only (GBP£9,708,692.7) to you in the codicil and last testament to his (WILL) which is eleven (11%) of his total funds of GBP£88,260,443.00 (Eighty Eight Million Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand Four Hundred and Forty Three Great British Pounds Sterling deposited with one of UK's biggest financial institution.
 
This may sound very strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and true. Being a widely popular and travelled man, he must have been in contact with you in the past or simply you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends here or abroad who wished you well. Sir J. Paul Getty Jr., the reclusive American-born philanthropist was the third son of the first American oil billionaire, billionaire American oilman Jean, Paul Getty.
 
According to him, this money is to support religious and humanitarian activities and to help the poor and the needy in our society.  Please if I reach you as I am hopeful, do get back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job. I hope to hear from you in no distant time. Please forward your response to barr.charlesrusselesq@descriptivemail.com for immediate action.
 
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
 
Yours in services,
Barr. Charles Russell.
Charles Russell LLP.
 
Partners: Barr. Simon Gilbert, Barr. John Walters, Barr. Susan McDonalds and Barr. Catherine Wright.
 
Attorney at Law.
 
                              ********Confidentiality Notice********
This message is intended for the sole use of the individual and entity to whom it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution of this email message, including any attachment, is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please advise the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.
Copyright © 1984-2009 Charles Russell LLP. All rights reserved.

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