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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 Bowen J Gordon <barrister_mail1@yahoo.in>
Reply-To: ifo.barrister_mail1@yaho.in
Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 23:42:41 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: I await your reply ASAP.




Barrister Bowen J Gordon,Carre 2200 Zone D'Ambassade
PK 5 Akpakpa Cotonou Benin
Hello:
  Please do not be embarrassed to receive this mail especially since we do not know each other before, My concern is how to transfer my late client money amounting to $18.5 million dollars out of Benin Republic for a better investment abroad. My name is Bowen J Gordon, the attorney to Late Michael Peter, a national of your country, who used to work as the Director of ( La Sucrerie de COMPLANT de Benin S.A.) in Benin Republic West Africa.  Here in after shall be Referred to as my client, on the 27th of May 2007, my client, His wife and their only Child were involved in a car accident Along Sagbama express-road. All occupants of the vehicle Unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved Unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track His last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his Family hence I
contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in Repatriating the money and property left behind by my late client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank here.  These huge deposits were lodged particularly with the "BANQUE ATLANTIQUE BENIN " (BAB)" An affiliate of Commercial Bank of Africa where the Deceased had an account valued at about $18.5 million dollars.  The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated. Since I have been unsuccessful in Locating the relatives for over some years, now I seek your consent To present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have The same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at $18.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can Share the money.50% to me and 50% to you.  I will procure all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest truthful
cooperation to enable us seeing this Deal through. I will like you to contact me immediately after you read this mail.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
And the way we are going to achieve this is I will need the following information from you,I will need the following important information from you,
 
Your Full Name..............................................
Your Address..................................................
Your Age........................................................
Your Occupation............................................
Your Position.................................................
Your Telephone and Mobile .........................
For Communication Purpose.
I await your reply ASAP.  Barrister Bowen J Gordon,

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