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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: "Barry Mullin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barrymullin2009@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2010 08:10:54 -0700
Subject: HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL !!!

THIS IS FOR YOUR ATTENTION

We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total sum of £15,600,000.00GBP (Fifteen million Six hundred thousand British pounds) in the codicil and last testament of the deceased. (Name now withheld since this is our second letter to you).I contacted you because you bear the same surname with the late client therefore you can be presented as the beneficiary/Next of kin to the inheritance of the late client.
I therefore reckoned that you can receive these funds as you are qualified by your surname name identity.

All the legal document will be process in your name after I receive a reply from you that we can work together in this deal, so I request that you forward to me the following information:

Your current telephone and fax number:
Your address:


With your details the Attorney will be able to file in all the necessary documents at the high court probate division for the release of this sum of money to you without any delay.

You are entitle to 50% of this money while I will also take 50%, Note that this funds will be delivered to you in your bank account via wire transfer, depending on the mode you decide to receive the funds.

kindly get back to me for more information..

Regards
Barry Mullin

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