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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: "Rome Popoola" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barrpopoola103@operamail.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 08:27:01 -0800
Subject: Re: Your Mail

Rome Popoola & Associates
1st Floor, West Wing, Teachers Hall Annex
        4 Barnes Close
          Off Barnes Road Accra
                  Ghana
 
 
Dear Sir/Madam,
 
I am Barrister Rome Popoola, a Solicitor. I am the Personal Attorney to Mr. Michael, a Foreigner who used to work with Atlas Dredging Company in Ghana. On the 21st of April 2004, my client, his wife and their two children were involved in a car accident along Sagbama Express Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has proved unsuccessful.
 
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet to locate any member of his family but to no avail, hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repartratingthe money left behind by my late client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit was lodged. The bank where my late client deposited US$.9.6 million has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin!  Or have the money confiscated within the next twenty official working days.
 
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating his relatives for over two years, I decided to seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you are from the same country so that the proceeds of this amount valued at$9.6 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money. 60% to me and 35% to you, while 5% should be for expenses or taxes as your government may require.
 
I will procure all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I need from you is your honest co-operation 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.
 
Furnish me with the following information forthwith your Full Name and complete Address, Your Fax Number. Please get in touch with me by Email: barrpopoola101@operamail.com      to enable us discuss further.
 
I await your feedback.
 
Best regard,
Barrister Rome Popoola
EMAIL: barrpopoola101@operamail.com
 

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