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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "david makaya" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <david.makaya@gmx.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2010 19:13:16 +0200
Subject: David Makaya



Good Day To You,

I am David Makaya, Staff of makaya associados law firm. I am getting
in touch with you regarding the state of a deceased client with last name
similar to yours, before his death, my late cliente has deposited a
Trunk Box containing the sum of US$18.8M (EIGHTEEN MILLION,
EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) with a Safe Keeping
Company in Spain.

As the attorney, I was given an ultimatum to look for the relatives
(heir/ inheritor) to come for the claim or have the Vault liquidated and
made unserviceable in accordance with existing laws and taken to the
Bureau of Diplomatic Security as unclaimed.

After preliminary efforts of search for a direct family member which came
to no avail, I decided to present you as the beneficiary to this vault as
the bonafide next of kin. I know you may not be in anyway related to my
late client but I have worked out all modalities to complete this claim effectively.

If you are able to assist me we shall share the proceeds 65% for me, 30%
for you and 5% for any expenses that may procure. please contact me on
my personal email david.makaye@gmx.com and i will send more details
immediately.

Regards,
David Makaya

Anti-fraud resources: