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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: "Charles Ekunde" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cekunde65@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19.43.53 +0100
Subject: Your prompt response will be highly appreciated

Hello Sir/Madam,

I am Mr.Charles Ekunde, an accountant with the Ministry of Public Works Kenya, I found out about Late Engr. Matthew Singer who died few years ago leaving behind a large sum of money with Ministry of Public Works which was supposed to be paid to his account but due to the sudden death of Late Engr. Matthew Singer they did not make the payment but with the help of the director of contract on foreign debt, they have now decided to release funds of all foreign contractors. Since he, is deceased we need someone to act as the beneficiary to Late Engr. Matthew, I will not mention the amount of money until we have agreed to deal. I trust you will understand the need for such precautions. So far, valuable efforts have been made to get to his people but to no avail, as he had no known relatives.Due to this development they have been expecting someone to come forward as a close relative to claim the funds otherwise the funds will be declared unclaimed and then paid into the government purse. To avert this negative deve
All legal documents to aid your claim for this fund and to prove your relationship with the deceased will be provided by us. Your help will be appreciated with 40% of the total sum which I would disclose in my next email. Please disregard this letter if you do not appreciate this proposition I have offered you.
Best Regards,
Mr. Charles Ekunde

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