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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: "Wright & Co" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <richardwright0001@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 20:05:02 +0200
Subject: Read

Wright & Co.

International House, 1-6 Yarmouth Place

Mayfair, London W1J 7BU, United Kingdom

Tel: + 44 770 006 6806

Fax: + 44 709 287 3360




With the warmest of hearts, I offer my friendship, greetings and I hope this email meets you in good time and spirit. However strange or surprising this email might seem to you, as we have not met personally or had any dealings in the past, I humbly ask that you take due consideration of its importance and immense benefit.



I duly apologize for infringing on your privacy, if this contact is not acceptable by you. My client, a contractor who died alongside with his entire family, who left a huge sum of amount unclaimed. Your last name happens to be the same last name with the deceased, which is the main reason i am contacting you. I would like to present you to the Bank as the beneficiary to the fund in question.



The Bank so far, has written me a letter of claim regarding the fund but i cannot front myself to make a claim of the funds in question. As his solicitor, I have decided to contact you simply because you bear the same last name with the deceased.



The principal amount involve is 7.5 million Pounds. I will like you to travel to the bank in person to make the claim as the sole beneficiary, if you do accept my proposal. I want you to understand that this is not a scheme, as there is a lot of transaction of this type which does not exist.



I have already worked out all the modality to execute the transfer, hence I seek your consent if interested, let me know your stance to enable me send you more detail of this proposition.





I look forward to hear from you.

Yours sincerely,

Jeffrey Wright.

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