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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: "thanidthani@aol.com" <alimubarakreh12@att.net>
Reply-To: datodrniknorzrulthani@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2011 23:21:21 -0700
Subject: Re: confidential

Dear Sir,

With due maximum respect, I crave your indulgence knowing that this proposal will be a surprise to you. I am Dato' Dr Nik Norzrul Thani, an attorney at law. A deceased client of mine who here in after shall be referred to as my client died as a result of heart-related condition on the 11Th February, 2007.

I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left behind by my late client to escape confiscation by the bank in which the Fifteen Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand United States Dollars [USD$15, 725,000.00] is deposited. The bank in which this huge amount is lodged has issued me a notice to contact the next-of-kin to this fund or the account will be confiscated.

My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my so named client. Hence you have the same last name as my late client; the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Then we can share the amount on mutual agreed percentages. All legal documents to back up your claim as my late client's next-of-kin will be gradually provided. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through.

This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology. I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this matter extra-ordinary confidential whatever your decision 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 message as soon as possible via email.

This transaction will be treated private with absolute confidentiality and sincerity. I look forward to your quick indication. Please, do reply me at this email: datodrniknorzrulthani@gmail.com

Best Regards,
Dato' Dr Nik Norzrul Thani.
[Principal Attorney]

ZAID IBRAHIM & CO
Level 19, Menara Milenium
Pusat Bandar Damansara
50490 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia.


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