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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: "Dr. HASSAN USMAN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hassanusman1234@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:27:44 +0100
Subject: VERY URGENT ...READ AND RESPOND BACK IMMEDIATELY


Dear Friend,

I am DR. HASSAN USMAN Bank Manager of UNION Bank of Nigeria, Lagos
Branch. I have urgent and very confidential business proposition
for you.

On June 6, 2004, a FOREIGN Oil consultant/contractor with the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Barry Kelly made a
numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued
at US$25,000,000.00 (Twenty- five Million Dollars) in my branch.
Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding
address but got no reply.

After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract employers,
the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation that Mr. Barry Kelly died from an
automobile accident.

On further investigation, I found out that he died without making
a WILL, and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.
I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr.
Barry Kelly did not declare any kin or relations in all his
official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my
Bank.

This sum of US$25,000,000.00 is still sitting in my Bank and
the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the
end of each year. No one will ever come forward to claim it.
According to Nigerian Law, at the expiration of 10 (ten) years,the
money will revert to the ownership of the Nigerian Government if
nobody applies to claim the fund.


Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as an Foreigner
to stand in as the next of kin to Mr. Barry Kelly so that the
fruits of this old man's labor will not get into the use of some
corrupt arms purchase that can further enhance war in africa.


This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full
names and address so that the Attorney will prepare the necessary
documents and affidavits, which will put you in place as the next
of kin. We shall employ the service of an Attorney for drafting
and notarization of the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents
and letter of probate/administration in your favor for the
transfer.


A bank account in any part of the world, which you will provide,
will then facilitate the transfer of this money to you as the
beneficiary/next of kin. The money will be paid into your account
for us to share in the ratio of 70% for me and 20% for you.10%
Will be for re-enbursement of expences on my part and yours,that
may be incured during the transfer of the funds,and also for tax
when the funds arrive your country.


There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction
will be done by the Attorney and my position as the Branch Manager
guarantees the successful execution of this transaction. If you
are interested, please reply immediately via the private
email address below.


Please observe utmost confidentiality, and rest
assured that this transaction would be most profitable
for both of us because I shall require your assistance
to invest my share in your country.

Awaiting your urgent reply. Via the following email :
hassanusman1234@gmail.com


Thanks and regards.
DR. HASSAN USMAN

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