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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: "Slife Pearce (Esq)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ibuoncounsel@live.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:23:57 -0800
Subject: ESTATE...

I am Slife Pearce,I have emailed you earlier without a response. In my first email I mentioned about my late client whose relatives I cannot get in touch with. I am compelled to do this because I would not want the bank to push my client`s funds into the bank treasury as unclaimed inheritance.
The Governing Body of the Bank has contacted me on this matter and I am  yet to provide the Next of Kin to lay claims to the Fund.Under a clear and  legitimate agreement with you, I shall seek your consent to be presented as the  next of Kin so that my late Client's Fund will not be Confiscated by the Bank and pushed into the bank treasury as unclaimed bills.
For the sake of Transparency on this matter, you are free to make immediate contact for further clarification and explanation on this matter.
 
I will need you also to reconfirm your full name,corrent Email address and contact telephone number to ascertain the fact that I am dealing with the right person.
Upon receipt of your response i will give you the details of this transaction.
 
Note that this claim is legitimate 
I await your prompt response.
 
Best Regards,
Slife Pearce (Esq)

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