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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: "John Clark" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <john_clark1882@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 15:22:19 -0700
Subject: ***SPAM*** NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST:

From: John Clark & Associates
Managing Partner (John Russell LLP)


NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST:

On behalf of the Trustees and Executives of the estate of Late Mr. Frank Pierre, I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter was returned undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you again by this same email address given to this judiciary office by Mr. Frank Pierre before his death on his will.

I wish to notify you that your contact email address was found on late Mr. Pierre last testament and which automatically means he has nominated you as one of his next of kin hence i am writing you regarding this.

He left the sum of Twenty one Million united states Dollars for you in the codicil and last testament to his will.This may sound strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and true. Being a widely traveled man, he must have been in contact with you in the past, or simply you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends overseas who wished you well.

Mr. Frank Pierre until his death was not married and was a member of the Helicopter Society and the Institute of Electronic & Electrical Engineers. He was a very dedicated Christian who loved to give out.

His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time Late Mr. Frank Pierre died on the 16th day of February 2006 at the age of 90 years and his will is now ready for execution According to him, this money is to support his Christian activities and to help the poor and the needy, (may his soul rest with the Lord).

Please if I reach you as I am hopeful, endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job with the following information.

1.Full Name
2.Contact Address
3.Telephone/Fax Number

I hope to hear from you in no distant time.

Yours in his service,

John Clark

Email: johnclark1011@sify.com
Office Address
8-10 New Fetter Lane,
London
EC4A 1RS

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