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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: Folly Zongo <folly2zongo@ymail.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:23:46 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: HELLO.


ATTN :
I am Barrister Folly Zongo, a solicitor at law, personal attorney to Engr. H. G , a national Of your country, who used to work as a contractor with Shell Development Company in Lome Togo, Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2005, my client, his wife and their only daughter were involved in a car accident along Sokode express Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then i have made several inquiries to your embassy here to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I got your contact from chambers of commerce search while I was searching for any member of his family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the fund valued at US$ 5.5 million left behind by my client before it gets confiscated or declared unserviceable by the African Development Bank where this huge amount was deposited. The said African Development Bank has for sometime now issued me a notice to provide the next of kin of my client or his account shall be declared dormant or possibly confiscated.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 7 years now, I seek the consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you have the same last names, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for transfer. I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up for claim.

 
All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Best Regards.
BARRISTER Folly Zongo

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