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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: "GERRIT GROOT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gerritgroot@live.com>
Date: Wed, 4 May 2011 11:07:42 -0700
Subject: MUTUAL PROPOSITION..

Complement of the day,

I am staff of Triodos Bank here in the Netherlands attached in Private Banking services I will be very glad if you do assist me to relocate this sum of (€12,995,720.00) to your account for the benefit of our both families. You do not have to send me money before we conclude this transaction. I am prepared to place you in a position of the beneficiary and release the deposit to you as the closest surviving partner. Upon receipt of the deposit, I will share the money with you in half, this means I will simply nominate you as the beneficiary and have then release the deposit to you. We share the proceeds 50/50.

This is a genuine business, only I cannot operate it alone without using a Foreigner who will stand as a beneficiary to the money, which is why I decided to contact you in a good manner to assist me and also to share the benefit together with me.

By indicating your interest I will send you the full details on how the business will be executed. Please keep this proposal as a top secret and delete it if you are not interested. My Only contacts email is ( Gerritgroot@live.com )

Regards,
Gerrit Marie Groot

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