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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: "Kelvin Grant" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <grakelv01@aim.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2010 03:21:37 +0100
Subject: I await your "Acceptance Letter"...(06/09/10)

I await your "Acceptance Letter"...(06/09/10)

THIS IS FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

We are conducting a standard process investigation on behalf of a financial institution in Europe. This investigation

involves a client who shares the same surname with you and also the circumstances surrounding investments made by this

client.
The client died and nominated no successor in title over the investments made with the bank.

I contacted you because you share the same SURNAME with the deceased and for that reason I am seeking your consent to present

you as next of Kin and have his deposit released to you. We share the proceeds a ratio of 50% each.

As soon as I get your consent on this matter, we will seek the services of a UK based Lawyer that will secure the change of

beneficiary and other relevant documents in your favour as beneficiary/next of kin at the Justice Ministry here in United

Kingdom. Once that is done, you will apply for the funds to be transferred to your local bank account.

To indicate your interest in this transaction, I will advise you furnish me with the following details for easy and effective

communication Your full names, Age, Address, Telephone/Cell, fax numbers if available.

If you deem it fit to be part of this great promising venture, please indicate your interest by responding to this notice via

my personal email address: grakelv01@aim.com

Yours faithfully,

Kelvin Grant.

Anti-fraud resources: