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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 AUSTIN E. KANUKA." <getbacktome3@att.net>
Reply-To: <barristeraustinekan@googlemail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2011 03:41:35 -0800
Subject: GREETINGS!!!

PLOT 10 OTEIGBA STREET
V/ISLAND LAGOS
Tel: +234-8025205165
Email:barristeraustinekan@googlemail.com
 
 
Dear Sir/Madam,
 
 
I am Barrister Austin E. Kanuka, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Mr. Freeman Edward, who used to work with Shell Development Company in Nigeria on April 21st 2007, my client, his wife and their only daughter were involved in a car accident along Port Harcourt express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy here to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful.
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to look for any  body who will be willing to assist me in recovering the fund valued at US$10million left behind by my client before it gets confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank where this huge amount were  deposited.
 
The said Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next twenty one official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years  now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased  hence we shall obtain all the legal documents to back you up in this claim from  the court, so that this fund can be transferred into your account.
Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, I have already worked out a sharing formula, 40% for you, while 50% goes to me, and 10% has been mapped out for any expense that might be incurred in the course actualizing this claim and taxation which might be required by your government.
 
All I require from you is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Your are advice to send the following information such as your full name, address, Your cell phone numbers, and a scan copy of your identity so that i can proceed immediately.
With this information, i will write a letter of introduction to the board of the bank for final approval of the funds left behind by my client into your account as the next of kin.
If you are very much ready to proceed with me, then contact me via my alternative email:barristeraustinekan@googlemail.com
 
 
 
I look forward hearing from you immediately.
 
 
 
Best regards,
Barrister Austin E. Kanuka (SAN)
 
 
 
 

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