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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: HANS ALEXANDER <hfsolicitors_advocates@live.com>
Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 13:11:43 -0400
Subject: URGENT:YOUR CONFIRMATION .

Email:frasanch@aol.com Tel:0034672594567. Dear Sir/Madam, This is to inform you about my late client whose relatives I cannot get in touch with. I am compelled to do this because I would not want the bank to push my clients funds into the bank treasury or the government as unclaimed inheritance.This mail is written and intended to solicit your assistance to be presented as NEXT OF KIN to my Late Client since you are a foreigner and only a foreigner can lay claims on this inheritance. The Governing Body of the Bank has contacted me on this matter and I am yet to provide the Next of Kin to lay claims to the Fund. Under a clear and legitimate agreement with you, I shall seek your consent to be presented as the next of Kin so that my late Clients' Fund will not be Confisticated by the Bank and pushed into the bank treasury as unclaimed bills. For the sake of Transparency on this matter, you are free to make immediate contact for further clarification and explanation on this matter. This transaction is risk free or whatsover as i am seized with all relevant papers/documents(Legal and Banking)that will facilitate my putting you forward as the claimnant/beneficiary of the fund and utimately transfering the money to any account nominated by you.UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of most importance if we are to succesfully reap the benefit of this trasaction Should you elect to come on board reconfirm your Full Names, Address,fax, telephone number to ascertain the fact that I am dealing with a serious person.Find above and below my email contact and mobile phone number ,the number is carefully chosen to enable you reach me anytime you choose to call. Thank you, while we expect your prompt response to this matter as the urgency demands. Truely, >From Mr Hans Alexander Hans and Frank (International Solicitors) Madrid - Spain. frasanch@aol.com

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