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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: "Barr. George Amin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barrgeorgeamin@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2013 10:43:53 -0500
Subject: GET BACK TO ME

                               George Amin & Co Chambers
Attorneys at Law, Conveyances & Public Notaries
                                                                                                                 Nottingham Shire, NG4 1SQ Essex
                                                                                                                                                                    &nbs
                                                                                                                                                                    Johannesb
                                                                  
                                                                Email:barrgeorgeamin@gmail.com                                    
 
Attn: Sir / Madam
 
I'm Barr George Amin expert in corporate and legal claims; I'm a partner at Riaan Lou & Associates South Africa, I am contacting you in regards to a deceased client who died in an auto accident in Cape Town, South Africa in March 2009; he was a prominent client of mine.
 
He happens to be from your country originally and share the same last names with you. Before his death, my client deposited (US$25 Million USD) at the vault of a financial institution in South Africa, documentations regarding these transaction indicates that claims can only be made by his relative/ family member.
 
Unfortunately he had no (will) at the time of his death.
 
All efforts made through some Private Investigators in South Africa have revealed no link to any of his family member. But your name came up as a possible relative.
 
However, the South African law of succession/claims/fund indicates a duration in which such claims could be tolerated.
 
The financial institution have mandated me to present the next of kin or a relative who will claim the funds and Failure to respond to this ultimatum would legally allow the financial institute to report this funds to the South African Reserve Bank as unclaimed funds(Lack of supersede).
 
I have put in place all necessary requirements concerning the release of this funds and it is my intention to introduce this opportunity to you as the beneficiary.
 
Please note that I'm legally equipped with all necessary information/documentations concerning this fund. Upon your decision of acceptance, I would process the release of these funds to your possession as the Beneficiary. Immediately you get in touch with me.
 
I would be able to inform you on how this could be concluded. In conclusion, it's my concern to demand your ultimate honesty, co-operation and confidentiality to enable us conclude this transaction.
 
I GUARANTEE that this process would be executed under a legitimate arrangement that would legally protect you from any breach of the law.
 
Best regards,
Barr. George Amin
E-MAIL: barrgeorgeamin@gmail.com
 
 

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