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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: Bryan Adams <kmurphy13@gmail.com>
Reply-To: drbryanadams1960@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 21:02:23 +0100
Subject: From Mr.Bryan Adams


*Westpac Banking Corporation,
63 St. Mary Axe London EC3A 8LE


I am Mr. Bryan Adams, an accounts officer with, Westpac Banking Corporation
London. On January 6th 2002, one Engineer. Claude Brian Best, a foreign
National, a consultant/contractor with oil exploration companies in Europe,
made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit, valued at £9,500,000.00(Nine
Million,Five Hundred Thousand British Pounds) for twelve calender months in
my Bank Branch. Upon Maturity, we sent a routine notification to his
forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and
finally discovered that Mr.Claude Brian Best died from a bomb blast through
terrorist attack in Madrid train station on the 11th of march 2004, all the
occupantS of the coach were killed, it was also discovered that he died
without making a WILL and all attempts to trace his next of kin was
fruitless.


On further investigations, it was discovered that Late Mr. Claude Brian Best
did not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official documents,
including his Bank Deposit paper work here at the Bank. The total sum,
£9,500,000.00 is still in the bank and the interest is being rolled over
with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one will ever come
forward to claim it. In accordance with the Federal banking Laws and
constitution, at the expiration of 6 (six) years, the money will revert to
the ownership of the Government if nobody applies as the next of Kin to
claim the funds.


Consequently, I shall present you as a foreign partner to stand in as the
next of kin to late Mr. Claude Brian Best so that you and I can benefit from
the fruits of this old man's labour. Upon acceptance of this proposal, I
shall send to you the Westpac Banking Corporation "Next of Kin Payment
Application Form" as well as detailed information on how this deal would be
transacted. We shall employ the services of a solicitor for the drafting of
the LAST WILL & TESTAMENT of Late Mr. Claude Brian Best and to obtain all
other relevant papers in your name for the necessary documentations for
payment approval in my bank headquarters in your favour.


The money will be shared in the ratio:60% for me,35% for you 5%for any
arising contigencies during the course of this transaction. I guarantee
that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect
you from any breach of the law as I will use my position as the Bank's staff
to secure approvals and guarantee the successful execution of this
transaction.


Please be informed that your utmost confidentiality is required. If this
interests you, please reply me immediately and please include your private
telephone number for voice contact and fax number so I can provide you with
more details and relevant documents that will help you understand the
transaction. However, if you for any reason do not have confidence in this
proposal, I will appreciate your response indicating your unwillingness.


Awaiting your urgent reply.
Best regards,
Mr. Bryan Adams,
Westpac Banking Corporation London.*

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