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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "MATTHEW SPENCER ESQ" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <spencer.matthew95@googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:18:32 -0700
Subject: FROM MATTHEW SPENCER ESQ, COMPLIMENT OF THE DAY.

MATTHEW SPENCER & ASSOCIATES
(Will, Finance & Probate Solicitors)
 
Compliment of the day,
 
I hope this letter finds you in good health. We act as solicitors and our services have been
retained by our late client, and herein referred to as our client. On behalf of our late client,
I write to notify you that our late client has made you a beneficiary to the bequest sum
of US$8,000,000.00 in the codicil to his will and last testament. You were recommended
by his mentor.
 
my late client died on the 8th of February 2008 after a brief illness at the age of 65. Until
his death, he was a consultant to several Oil and Gas companies. He had lived in the
United States of America and a host of other countries before he came to Cairn Energy
PLC, an oil and gas  exploration and production company based in the Africa. He was a
knight in the Church and also belonged to several non-governmental and scientific
organizations. Also he was a great philanthropist and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary
Club International.
 
This bequest is to support his activities, humanitarian services and help to the less privileged.
In accordance with our inheritance laws, you are required to apply for Claims through this
law firm to secure the release of the fund from where it is deposited. We are perfecting
arrangements to complete the transfer of this inheritance to you.
 
You are required to forward the following details of yours for verification and re-confirmation.
They are  as follows:
 
1. Full names.
2. Address.
3. Occupation.
4. Age.
5. Telephone and Fax Numbers.
 
Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter immediately.
 
Congratulations
 
Yours Faithfully,
 
MATTHEW SPENCER ESQ.

Anti-fraud resources: