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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: <sirmadam1@centrum.cz>
Date: Sun, 08 Aug 2010 18:36:54 +0200
Subject: Re: Hello Sir/Madam,


Re: Hello Sir/Madam,

I am Mr . Patrick Mellor, staff of a reputable bank in spain. On the 23rd of oct.
2005, a contractor made a deposit for 12 months valued at USD$25.5 million. Upon
maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no
reply. After a month, we discovered from his contract employers, that the
depositor had died. On further investigation I found out that he died without
making a (WILL).

The money is still sitting in our Bank and According to the Laws, here in
spain, at the expiration of 5 (five) years, the money will revert to the
ownership of the Government Treasury if nobody applies to claim the fund.
Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you to stand in as the next of kin
to the depositor. However my proposal to you is i want to front you as the Next
of Kin to or bank deceased customer. If this business interests you furnish me
with the bellow information:

1. Your full names.
2. Your full Address.
3. Your personal Tel/fax number
4. Your occupation.
5. Your age.
6.Your religion

Best regards,
Mr . Patrick Mellor,
Contact Email: mellorpat@aol.co.uk

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