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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: "Charles Brown" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <browntip101@blumail.org>
Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2012 19:31:33 -0400
Subject: Dissolution of Joint Property Ownership.

Att:

We are surprised you did not get back to our previous letter to you, as regards to your family Inheritance claim mention. A power of attorney was forwarded to our office last week by one Mr Gibbs Robinson who claimed to be your Relatives/ Next of Kin that the abandon inheritance funds and properties outstanding of late deceased properties / inheritance/probate claim.(only to be claimed by relatives).

Your identity card and full address together with your phone number will be required so that I can officially introduce you to a bank lawyer who will secure the transfer documents on our behalf, this will enable the bank recognize you as the next of kin , relatives. Proof of identity: Passport Copy / Identity Card.

If truly you are the person that authorise Mr Gibbs as you’re relative to handle your transfer process on your behalf since you have been hospitalized. Be aware that a time duration of (7) days have been issued for confirmation of payment and if nothing is heard from you within the time limit.

Charles Brown

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