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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: "Barrister Collin Shands" <Barr.CollinShand@att.net>
Reply-To: BARRCOLLINSHANDSESQ@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2011 01:09:37 +0800
Subject: Re: Urgent Assistance.

Greetings,

Barrister Collin Shands,an attorney at law, legal practitioner by profession also an expert in Probate research meeting the need to contact lost or unknown next of kin and inheritors wherever they may be. I operate nationally in Asia and internationally to trace missing assets and beneficiaries as well as obtaining certificate to prove vital events.

Each year I inform hundred of people of entitlements, reuniting members of the public all over the world with unclaimed assets. If it was not for my expertise, these people would never know of their entitlement, let alone be able to prove a claim successfully.

Frequently, most solicitors and the authorities do not have the time, money or expertise required to locate an entitled beneficiary. Using personal resources together with modern technology, our own in-house databases and expertise, we investigate ancestry and family histories, enabling us to identify and locate next of kin, often underwriting our own research. We will also trace a named beneficiary, whose whereabouts are unknown. We are also authorized by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to arrange suitable missing beneficiary indemnity insurance.

It may interest you to know that i will fix your name as the supposed next of kin (Inheritor) of the sum of US$45,500,000.00 (Fourty Five Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) left behind by one of my late clients after his death in December 2003. After his untimely death, I have made several contacts and research trying to locate his next of kin to claim the unclaimed inheritance but all my effort proved abortive. He died along with his wife and only daughter in a Plane Crash and left no next of kin behind.

Based on my fruitless research and the latest notice I received from his (My Late Client) bank treating to confiscate the unclaimed fund if nobody comes to claim the fund, I have deem it necessary to contact you and to present you as the supposed next of kin and beneficiary of the unclaimed inheritance to avoid loosing the huge fund to the bank.

As the private lawyer and Attorney of the deceased, I`m in possession of all the relevant informations and legal documents that may be required for your successful claim of the money without difficulties or problems. I will work with you in every area and give you maximum support and assistance in claiming the fund. I will also act as your Attorney in all matters related to this claim. It may interest you to know that 50% of the inheritance shall be your share while 50% shall be for me.

Rest assured that this transaction will be done legally in accordance with the law. This transaction is risk-free both now and in future. Your acceptance of this offer would be most appreciated. Please, reply with your name in full, Nationality and your private telephone numbers for further communication.

Yours sincerely,


Barrister Collin Shands ,Esq.






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