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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Maria Satiago" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ga.francisco@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2012 18:43:35 -0500
Subject: Re: In regards to: Asset Bequest to You.

In regards to: Asset Bequest to You.

My name is Francisco Garcia; an Independent Legal and Financial Expert. I run
a private Practice in legal Soliciting and Financial Consulting.
In the process of carrying out a standard financial review exercise for the
year (2011); I came across my late client's file that revealed a form he
signed with an Investment Company here (Union Financiera Asturiana) which had
your name on the next of kin column.

This file contains certificate for a convertible bond Deposit he made with
the Investment Company that was traded over the years with different Asset
Managers to yield a high profit value. In 2003, the subject matter (My Late
Client); contacted me for legal Advice regarding a business discussion
between him and Union Financiera Asturiana. He informed me that he had a
financial portfolio of 9.8Million (Euros) which he wished to Invest with
the Private Investment Service arm of the Investment Company. I agreed to
represent his Interest, so we met on numerous occasions prior to any
investments being placed, carried out a feasibility study and assessment of
the gainfully oriented areas before it gained my approval.
I encouraged him to consider various growth funds with prime ratings and I
helped him fashion out the placement of this trust.

Today, this Bonded Investment Trust he had has a surface value of 15Million
Euros that has long matured for payment but due to his demise, it has not
been paid by the Investment Company who confessed that no one has come for
claims following my inquiry on this case.

It is pertinent you note that; my late client who shares same surname with
you died intestate in 2007 of AUTO ACCIDENT TRAUMA in Birmingham England,
since this is his personal Offshore Investment Plan which had only your name
matching the name on the Form as the Next of Kin, you are legally entitled
to make claims as the only successor in title over his investment Trust. It
is usually a mandatory protocol to specify next of kin in financial
transactions that require forms, documentation, application or agreement

As a foreign Investor he was, he relied on my service here on ground to
advise and execute action on his behalf. However, I am prepared to place you
in a position wherein the funds would be released to you as the only known
surviving relative. I will ensure that every legal right and procedure is
exercised to place you in a position that will ensure that the Deposit is
released to you by the Investment Firm.

Due to the high surface value of the assets, it is legally fair that the
Probate law which provides uncertainty of the original owner's absence be
applied so that Assets would be transferred to his kin as the law provides.
You shall be placed as the next of kin and through my office; I will ensure
the release of the deposit to you by carrying out the necessary legal
procedures to transfer ownership of Inheritance to you. I assure you that
the deposit and release of these Funds to you will be done without breach of
law and within 7 bank working days.

You have to be aware of the need for confidentiality in this letter, owing
to the fact that Inheritance information are highly secured to avoid wrong
claimant or third party interest. He made this Investment out of town in the
bid to have an offshore financial security in case of unforeseen events. A
convenient International money transfer medium that will protect you from
breach of law will be initiated in line with Probate validation of ownership
transfer to you.

Please send me your contact details, number and address in your response to
this letter as I expect that you keep the contents of this mail private and
respect the integrity of the information revealed to you herein.

Cordially,

Mr. Francisco Garcia.
Legal Financial Service
Consultants/Asset Security
Tel: +34 632 238 444
Consultants/Asset Security

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