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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: Ken Gabriel <kengabriel@uk2.net>
Reply-To: kengabriel@freenet.lu
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2010 22:19:06 +0100
Subject: I wait your response.



Greetings,
How are you doing? My name is Ken Gabriel I am an attorney. A client of mine
shares the same last name as yours, who here in after shall be referred to as
my client, died as the result of a heart problem in 2004. His heart condition
was due to the death of all the members of his family, I hereby contacting you
to assist in distributing the money left behind by my client before it is
confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Finance company where he
deposited
huge amount of money ($9M). The Finance company has issued me a notice
to contact the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated.
My dear I want to present you as the sole beneficiary of my named
client, since
you have the same last name, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid
to you. Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon Percentage. All
legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will be
provided. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this
transaction through. This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law. If this business proposition
offends your moral values, do accept my apology. Due to the fact that I am
still in active service with my firm I must use this opportunity to
implore you
to exercise the position as the next of kin to the deceased and to keep this
matter extraordinary confidential. Whatever your decision, while I await your
prompt response. I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as
soon as possible. I wait your positive response.
Regards,
Ken.

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