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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: "Dr. Denis Peterson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drdenispeterson77@e-mail.ua>
Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2013 09:38:30 +0100
Subject: Your Urgent Respond Needed

From. Barrister. Denis Peterson Esq.
Jean-Paul II, 08 BP 0879 - Cotonou

Sir,

I am sorry for using this medium of communication in contacting you, but be informed that it is based on the urgent nature of this deal that I am about to present to you now for your consideration. First, it will be my great pleasure to introduce myself to you. I am Barr. Steve Douglas Esq., native of Benin Republic and personal Attorney to Mr.. Morgan van Keulen. On December 6, 2004, a Foreign consultant/contractor with the Benin printing and minting, my client Mr. Morgan van Keulen made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$52,000,000.00, (Fifty two Million, united states Dollars) here in Benin Republic.

Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, I sent a reminder and finally I discovered from his contract employers, the Benin printing and minting that my client Mr. Morgan van Keulen died from an automobile accident. On further investigation, I found out that he died without making WILL and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.

I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr. Morgan van Keulen did not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork he left with me on trust. No one will ever come forward to claim this sum.

According to Benin Law, at the expiration of 6 (six) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Benin Government if nobody applies to claim the fund. Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a Foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to Mr. Morgan van Keulen.

I want to present you as the next of kin so that you can be able to claim the money with my help as persona Attorney to Mr. Morgan van Keulen. This is simple. I will like you to provide immediately your full names and address so that I will prepare the necessary documents which will put you in place as the next of kin. The money will be moved out for us to share in the ratio of 70% for me and 30% for you. There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by me and this will guarantee the successful execution of this transaction.

If you are interested, please reply immediately via my email address. Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant Documents that will help you understand the transaction.
Please observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this transaction will be most profitable for both of us because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country. (Buying of properties like houses, hotels etc) Please do send me your telephone and fax number so that we can have a smooth communication.

Thanks and I am waiting for your urgent respond.

Dr. Denis Peterson

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