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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: "From Mr. Archun James" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Jamesarchun@blumail.org>
Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2012 03:28:24 -0700
Subject: With Due Respect,

With Due Respect,

I am sorry for contacting you through this medium without a previous notice; I had to use email because it is an official and more confidential way of making contact with people around the world.

My name is Archun James. I trained and work as an external auditor for Banks In South East Asia and Europe. I Work as part of a bigger team that covers the entire South East Asian/Europe region. I have taken pains to find your contact through personal endeavor.

On routine audit check last month, I discovered some investment accounts that have been dormant for the last fourteen (14) years, all the accounts belonging to a single holder with monies totaling a little above (21,100,000.00) Twenty-One Million One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars. Banking regulation demands that the fiscal authorities are notified when accounts are dormant for this period, so that the funds can be called in by the regulatory bodies. The above set of facts underscores my reason of writing and making the following proposal.

My investigations of the said account reveals that the investor died in 1997—the exact time the account was last operated, I can confirm with certainty that the said investor died intestate and no next–of–kin has been found or has come forward all these years. I am of the settled conviction that using my insider leverage and working with you, we can secure the funds instead of allowing it pass as an unclaimed fund into the coffers of the Government. This is especially possible as you bear the same LAST NAME to the said investor, and can stand as his extended relative. This exactly why I crave your participation and co-operation.

I have seized all relevant documents (Legal and Banking) including access to the very account of the deceased. This will facilitate my putting you forward as the claimant/beneficiary of the funds and ultimately transfer the money to any account nominated by you. You shall be rewarded for your part in this transaction with 40% of the total funds for your efforts, less any expenses. I shall however leave out the final details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate. Be assured that I am on top of the situation. There will be no risk involved whatsoever if you agree to come on board. Needless to say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction. I guarantee that the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect us from any breach of law.

Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Mr. Archun James.

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