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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: URGENT URGENT123 <urgent2@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: urgent458@cantv.net
Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 13:25:18 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Reply urgently.


Let us handle this deal together
Reply urgently. 
 
My name is Mr. Michael David, the manager, Credit and Foreign Bills of Export Import Bank of Corea. I am writing in respect of a foreign customer of my bank, who perished in plane crash [Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409] on the 25 January, 2010 at Off Na'ameh, Lebanon .
 
Since the demise of this our customer, I personally has watched with keen interest to see the next of kin but all has proved abortive as no one has come to claim his funds of USD37,200,000 million, [Thirty Seven million, two hundred thousand US dollars] which has been with my branch for a very long time. And this customer did not placed any name for the next of Kin to his deposited funds.
Upon the receipt of your response, I will send you the application and next step to take. I will not fail to bring to your notice that this business is hitch free and that you should not entertain any fear as all modalities for fund transfer can be finalized within five banking days, after you apply to the bank as a relation to the deceased and both of us will enjoy this money together.
 
When you receive this letter. Kindly send me an e-mail signifying your decision including your mobile telephone number for quick communication.  The question now is that, are you ready to work with me over the claims? Are you ready to maintain top confidentiality this deal requires? I wait urgently for your answer.
 
Respectfully Submitted,
Mr. Michael David

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