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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 Wild <johnwildpprr@freemail.hu>
Reply-To: John Wild <johnwildpprr@yahoo.com.cn>
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:40:07 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: ATTENTION:BURKS


ATTN:BURKS,
 
On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late
Dr PHILLIP BURKS. 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 on the WILL. My Late client
before his most unfortunate death, deposited as family belongings
in a bank in Hungary, the sum of Seventeen Million United States
Dollars,with the hope of transferring it to his country as soon
as he is on leave.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for
over 2 years now. I seek your consent to present you as the
Next of Kin of the deceased, since you have the same last
name as my late client, so that the proceeds of this deposit
be SENT to your own benefit. All Legal documents to aid your
claim of this fund and to prove your relationship with the
deceased will be arranged for. Your help will be appreciated
with 40% of the total sum. All that I require is your honest
cooperation to enable us see this deal through.
Please accept my apologies, keep my confidence and disregard
this email if not interested. However, if you do agree to this
term, please include your phone and fax number in your response
for better communication.
 
Regards to you and your family.
 
John Wild Esq
PRINCIPAL PARTNERS: Barrister Cieszinski Walsh.Esq, Markus Wolfgang,
Mr.John Marvey Esq, Mr. Jerry Smith Esq
Matyas Oersi Chambers
Kaszo Trade Center, Madach Imre utca 13-14
Budapest, Hungary

Anti-fraud resources: