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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: "Finance Consultant" <accountofficer72@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 22:54:48 -1000
Subject: Payment Confirmation

Dear Friend,
Permit me to inform you of my desire of going into business relationship with you. I got your contact from a colleague at London Stock Exchange following my effort searching for a trustworthy person to assist me.
My name is Mr. Richard Blockley, I'm British and a Finance Consultant with Goldman Sachs Bank (London office), Am as well an account officer to a deceased customer of our bank, we lost this customer in swimming pool accident on the 25th October 2009.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091025/ap_on_bi_ge/us_madoff_associate_death
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/oct/26/bernard-madoff-jeffry-picower
And his account of US$50.761 million with us have been unclaimed due to unavailability of next of kin to claim his fund in this account.
My late customer was a good associate of Bernand Maddoff. In accordance with the laws in England as a kingdom, the board of directors of the bank met today and resolved to turn the estate of the deceased over to the Government due to no next of kin stipulated in the account and if this is done, invariably, the funds will end up to become Government property and it is as a result of this that am moved to contact.
In view of this, I am seeking your cooperation and understanding to stand as the deceased next of kin to enable us claim the inheritance before the period given by the bank elapse. If you are interested and in agreement with me, get back to me quickly and I will send to you all our bank contacts and the information you may need to proceed, and be rest assured that it is risk free project and am offering you 22% of the fund as soon as its transfered into your account anywhere in the world.
Please reply immediately with your requested details below=
Full Name--------------
Full Address----------
Tel/mobile number-----------------
Country of Residence---------------
Nationality------------------------
Photo Page of Identification..................................... Passport/Driver's Licence
I await your prompt response immediately.

Best Regards.
Mr. Richard Blockley.
Finance Consultant
Goldman Sachs Investments Bank
London Headquater
E-mail= richardblockley@aim.com

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