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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: "Barr.Alpha Oumar Sow" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barralpha5@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2010 19:42:58 +0800
Subject: ***BULK MAIL*** ATTENTION NEEDED?

Greetings,

I am Barr Alpha Oumar Sow, an attorney at law. A deceased client of mine,who here in after shall be referred to as my client,died in Plane crash during his visit to Brazil on July 18th 2007 11.26 Am. ET as reported
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/07/25/brazil-aviation.html

I contact you to assist in receipt of this money left behind by my late client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the finance house where this deposit valued at US$6.6Million Dollars, is lodged. This bank has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the account would be confiscated.

My proposition to you is to seek your permission by presenting you as the next-of -kin and beneficiary of my deceased client, to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my late client, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid through you.

Then we can share the amount mutually, base on our percentage agreement. All legal back up documents for claim and as my client's next-of-kin will be provided. In addition I seek for your honest co-operation and trust, to enable us achieves this
transaction successfully.

This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect both of us from any breach of the law. Therefore If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology. I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise an utmost indulgence to whatever your decision is, while I await your prompt response. Please contact me at once to indicate your interest. I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon as possible via email as this transaction will be treated privately with absolute trust and sincerity among us.

I look forward to hear from you.

Best regards,
Barr. Alpha Oumar Sow

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