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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: "" Gerald Walter&CO "" <httwalter@aol.com>
Reply-To: <walterger7@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Oct 2010 04:51:09 -0400
Subject: ****[Legal Trustee]****15/10

GERALD WALTER &CO
ATTORNEYS AT LAW AND LEGAL PRACTITIONERS
Fluelastrasse 41, Zrich 8047, Switzerland


THIS IS FOR YOUR ATTENTION
We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total
sum of $11,300,000.00 (Eleven million Three hundred thousand American dollars)
in the codicil and last testament of the deceased. (Name now withheld since this
is our second letter to you).

I contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore can present
you as the beneficiary to the inheritance. I therefore reckoned that you can receive
these funds as you are qualified by your name identity.

To verify these funds in escrow, please call the Automated Number of the Bank
and follow the prompt:

Call: +1 (360)515-3118
Pass code: 2501
Account Number: 0221077410248
Pin: 2388

All the legal papers will be processed in your acceptance. In your acceptance of
this deal,I request that you kindly forward to me your letter of acceptance; your
current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable us file
necessary documents at our high court probate division for the release of this
sum of money. Get back to me through the following contact mail address: walterger7@aol.com

Mr. Gerald Walter.
[Legal Trustee]
Zurich, Switzerland

Anti-fraud resources: