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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: "sarah patricks" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sarah.patricks03@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2003 02:11:35 -0000
Subject: Dear Peterson, your secret heirloom.

Dear Peterson, Good day,
This is my fourth e-letter to you without any response.
My name is Sarah Patricks, I received a letter from the SECURITY & FINANCE COMPANY here requesting for the next of kin to my deceased client. The letter stated that he made fixed deposit of some amount of money last two years before his death. The SECURITY & FINANCE COMPANY is aware of his death, though he was not married, neither did he leave a "WILL" nor Specified any next of kin, the SECURITY & FINANCE COMPANY is anticipating someone with the same surname to come along for claims. As it is, no one can put up claims except someone with the same surname and referred from my office. All efforts to get his family relatives have been abortive. I solicit that you allow me introduce you as his relative based on the fact that you have the same surname.
He was aged 58. He lived and worked here as a foreigner and requested to be buried here.
Kindly let me know if you are interested so that I can give you further details and certain other documents to enable you contact the SECURITY & FINANCE COMPANY for release of the funds to you. I have spoken with the SECURITY & FINANCE COMPANY Manager on this matter extensively and he is waiting for your introduction to the SECURITY & FINANCE COMPANY according to his directives.
All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law and will brief you on the details upon your response.
Furthermore, in your response include the following info:
1; your Mobile and Home telephone numbers for easy and official conversation.
2; your age and Marital status
3; mailing address / residential address
4; Your sex as well as your occupation
I urgently await your swift e-reponse.
Sincerely,
Ms.Sarah Patricks
P.S : BE INFORMED THAT YOUR LEGITIMATE CLAIMS TO THE INHERITANCE ENTITLEMENTS MAY BECOME STATUTE-BARRED IF YOU DO NOT TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY.
 

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