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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: "R Hodges" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <roberthodges@kimo.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:24:51 +0800
Subject: **SPAM** Let's do this!

 
Hello,
 
How are you doing? I hope great! Please do accept my apologies for having to contact you this way, as I know that we do not know each other personally but hopefully we will soon. I have contacted you because I recently came up with a life changing opportunity that I can't handle on my own and thus need a partner. It is a risk-free, legal deal and for your assistance, you will be compensated with 40 percent of the proceeds. I work in a bank, and recently discovered numerous unclaimed deposits sitting at my bank for the past decades. In one case in particular, I discovered that the original depositor died in 2003 and had no surviving relatives or beneficiaries. At the end of this year, the government would revert ownership of the funds using the Unclaimed Assets Scheme (UAS), which gives them the right to put the funds into a central account to be distributed alongside lottery fund money. I have included the links below, so you'd understand how much money currently lies unclaimed:  
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/savings/8319678/Billions-unclaimed-in-dormant-accounts.html
 
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2010/07/race-to-recover-unclaimed-bank-accounts.html
 
http://www.ny1.com/content/ny1_living/consumer_watch/141731/usa-has--33-billion-in-unclaimed-bank-accounts
 
I have contacted you because I need to move the funds from the dormant account and thus need your help and also partner with me in future investments in your country. I chose you because you and the deceased share the same last name and could be distant relatives. My attorney's will provide all the necessary legal documents and affidavits to cover the entire transaction.
 
I am a man who has worked so very hard all his life and still has little or nothing to show for it, so this is my once in a life time chance to change my life and future. I need a partner who understands what is required and is willing to do what is necessary. I need a partner who is competent, reliable, and trustworthy, as we both stand to gain a lot from the success of this deal. If you can't be all of that, then we can't work together. You can reach me via my private email, roberthodges@kimo.com. Have a great day!
 
Best Regards,
 
Robert

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