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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: <barnabas.m@bluewin.com>
Reply-To: <frson909@yahoo.es>
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:58:54 +0100
Subject: CAN WE WORK TOGETHER.



Dear Friend,
I wish to intimate you with a request that would be of immense benefit to both of us.it is possible that we may be tempted to make fortune out of my client situation, when we cannot help it,or left with no better option.The issue I am presenting to you is about my client who WILLED a fortune to his next-of-kin.It was most unfortunate that he and his next-of-kin died on the same day.I am now faced with confusion of whom to pass the fortune to.The fortune is supposed to be bequeathed to the government.However,I don’t belong to that school of thought which proposes that the fortune of unlucky people be given to the government. I seek your assistance to act as the beneficiary of the inheritance,and lay claim to this huge amount(22.4million pounds sterling),which this my unfortunate client bequeathed to his next-of-kin. For now, it is only known to me, as my client has great confidence in me. Everything will be left between you and I.The share would be 40% for you and 60% for me.
All I have to do is to amend the
Yours truly,
Barnabas Morgan

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