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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: "CATHERINE JOCELYN MACAPAGAL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cathjmacg200@googlemail.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 09:15:35 +0100
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL

 
 
CATHERINE  JOCELYN  MACAPAGAL
REGIONAL AUDITOR
HEAD OFFICE BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK .
12 ADB AVENUE, ORTIGAS CENTER, MANDALUYONG CITY
PHILIPPINES.
 
Good Day,
 
 
Let me start by introducing myself, I am MRS. CATHERINE  JOCELYN  MACAPAGAL, REGIONAL
AUDITOR OFFICER BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK. I am writing you this letter
based on the latest development at my bank, which I will like to bring to
your personal edification.  I am a top official in charge of client accounts
in (EQUITABLE PCI BANK) which is now BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK inside the
Philippines the merger was (2007) The merger is part of a long-term goal of
Banco de Oro to become one of the largest names in the Philippine banking
industry.
 
 
In 2001, my client was going through a horrendous divorce in the United
States of America and was on the verge of losing most of his estate to his
vicious and diabolical wife. As a result of this alarming predicament, my
client came to me with a very brilliant idea. He transferred some funds, ten
million two  hundred thousand dollars ($10.2m) to a fixed deposit account in
my bank under an alias which only the two of us knew about as the
confidentiality of the  matter was necessary for his protection.
 
 
Due to his untimely death in early 2002, the funds have been sitting in the
account ever since and will continue to do so perpetually unless we do
something about it. This is where you come in. I located you through an
agency that helps seek people by their email. My client did not declare any
next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of his bank
deposit. Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I would like you
as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to our client so that you will be
able to receive his funds. I want you to know that I have had everything
planned out so that we can come out successful. I have contacted an attorney
that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of
kin to my client. All that is required from you at this stage is for you to
provide me with your Full Names and Address and telephone number so that the
attorney can commence his job.
 
 
The allocation of our money will be as follows: 30%($3.06m) to you for your
part  in this, 70% for me. Again, I will be in charge of everything else. I
will assume all responsibilities for this endeavor so you don't have to worry
about any legal ramifications, just what you will do with all that money.
Your urgent response is highly anticipated so please email me through this
email address (cathjmac2000@live.com) for more details on this transaction as
soon as possible.This should be kept very secret and confidential.
 
Hope to hear from you soon .
 
Kind Regards,
Catherine Jocelyn Macapagal
 
 

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