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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: "Thomas williams" <thomas@norma.net>
Reply-To: thomas_williams102@advir.com
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 07:19:32 -1200
Subject: Good Fortune

My good friend I am Thomas Williams a Filippino living in the UK. I am of
International Private Banking at HSBC Bank London. I am contacting you
concerning a deceased customer and a financial portfolio of $10 million
United states dollars, which he placed under HSBC Bank management two years
ago for turnover on his behalf.

I am sending you this mail without a measure of fear, but I know within me
that nothing ventured is nothing gained and that success and riches never
come on a platter of gold. This is one truth I have learned from my private
banking clients.

I implore you discard this mail if you find no interest in this transaction,
and if my offer is of no appeal to you, please don't be vindictive and
destructive just delete this message and forget I ever contacted you.

Do not betray my confidence, if we can be of one accord, we should plan a
meeting soon.

I await your response.

Reply to this email(thomas_williams102@advir.com)

Thomas Williams

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