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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: "Barrister Kyeretwie" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <details_lawtrustgh@live.ca>
Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 04:56:09 +0100
Subject: regarding our discussion

Greetings,

I have been in search of someone with this last name with a deceased client of mine who died intestate so when I saw your name I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other. I am Opoku Kyeretwie Esq., my office/law chambers, has been an annual contract with the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) http://www.lawtrust.com.gh/ . I believe it is the wish of God for me to come across you on search now. I am having an important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you because, it is in connection with your last name and you are going to benefit from it.

A deceased client and citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with the bank in 2004 for 36 calendar months, valued at US$26,300,000.00 (Twenty-six Million, Three Hundred Thousand US Dollars) the due date for this deposit contract was on 16 of January 2007. Sadly Johnson was among the death victims in the May 26 2006 Earthquake disaster in Jawa, Indonesia that killed over 5,000 people. He was in Indonesia on a business trip and that was how he met his end.

The banks management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because we were quite close since I was the legal officer that signed the documents and he made me his legal adviser since that day. Mr. Johnson did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and Johnson was not married and no children. Last week the Bank Management requested that I should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract.

I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if the Bank Directors happens to know that Johnson is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the cash for their personal use, so I don't want such to happen. That was why when I saw your last name I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, since you have the same last name with him and the bank head quarters will release the account to you. There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law.

It is better that we claim the money, than allow the Bank Directors to take it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the loot, 50/40% to both parties, and 10% for Expenses, my share will assist me to start my own business which has been my dream. Let me know your decision on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET as well do not contact me by the email on the site http://www.lawtrust.com.gh/ . We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response strictly through my personal email address. details_lawtrustgh@live.ca

We can as well discuss this on phone; let me know when you will be available to speak with me on phone. Have a nice day and God bless.

Anticipating your communication.
Opoku Kyeretwie Esq.
details_lawtrustgh@live.ca

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