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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: "Barrister Lexy Nelson" <info@lawfirm.co.uk>
Reply-To: barr.lexy.nelson3@07168.cn
Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2012 21:30:58 +0100
Subject: Dear Legatee Regarding A Deposit Box In Your Name

LEXY NELSON & CO
FROM THE DESK OF
BARRISTER LEXY NELSON
86 Fleet Street
London, E15 2NF
United Kingdom

Good Day,


I am the sole executor and trustee of the estate of a testator and I hereby
attempt to reach you again by this same email address stated on the TRUST as
my previous notification to you was returned undelivered.Please if I reach
you this time as I am hopeful, endeavour to get back to me.I have information
concerning the availability of a safe deposit box with a bank which has been
listed in your name.The testator made you the beneficiary of the deposit box
which contains 375,000GBP as a secret trust.


My duty is to provide legal assistance and claims administration for transfer
of custody of the funds to you as the sole and legal beneficiary.Upon your
response to this email,I shall provide you with further information on the
release of the funds to you .I look forward to hearing from you as soon as
possible.


Best Regards,
Barrister Lexy Nelson.

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