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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: "Dieter Muller" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dmller44@sify.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 15:39:07 +0200
Subject: Legal Claim

Hello,
Thank you for giving me your time. Please be patient and read my email to
you.
I work as an internal auditor for a Suisse Bank. Prior to this position, I was attached to Private Banking services. I am contacting you concerning an investment placed under our banks management; you are contacted independently out of investigation in the bank. I would like to intimate you with certain factsthat I believe would be of interest to you. In the year 1994, a certain single account holder (now deceased) came to our bank to engage in business discussions with our
Private Banking Services Department. He informed us that he had a financial portfolio of 21 million United States dollars, which he wished to have us invest on his behalf. I was the officer assigned to his case; I then proceeded to provide
numerous suggestions and advise in line with my duties as the de-facto Chief Operations officer of the Private Banking Services Department, especially given the volume of funds he wished to put into our bank. We met on numerous occasions prior to any investments being placed.
I encouraged him to consider various growth funds with prime ratings. It is only an outsider to the banking world who finds the internal politics of the banking world aberrational. Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin. This is especially possible as you share same details as the said investor. This exactly is why I crave your
participation and co-operation. I have seized all relevant documents (legal and Banking) that will facilitate our putting you forward as the claimant and beneficiary of the funds and ultimately transfer the money to any account nominated by you. Of course you shall be handsomely rewarded for your part in this transaction as I am prepared to share the deposit with you in
halves 50% of the total funds for your efforts, less expense. I shall however leave out the finer details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate. To maintain the level of security required to see this transaction come to a successful conclusion, I have intentionally left out the details.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message in acceptance of our mutual partnership and endeavor by furnishing me with your Full Names, Date of Birth, Telephone Number, Fax Number, company / position held, Email address, Contact address and Postal address. These requirements will enable us file letter of claim to the appropriate departments for necessary approvals in your favor for the deposit to be released to you before the funds can be released for transfer.
There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by an attorney and with me as an insider guarantees the successful execution of this transaction. If you are interested, please reply immediately to this email: (dmller44@sify.com). The dynamics of my industry dictates that I make this move. Such opportunities only come once in a lifetime. Do not betray my confidence and be rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us
because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country.

I awaiting your urgent reply via my email: dmller44@sify.com

Thanks and regards.
Dieter Muller.

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