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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: Attorney Paul A. Rhodes <dunbard83@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dunbard83@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:26:01 +0400
Subject: CAN I TRUST U IN THIS GREAT DEAL

Dear Friend,

I got your contact information from a reputable business/professional directory of your country which gives me assurance of your legibility as a person. I am Attorney Paul A. Rhodes, a solicitor at law. I was the personal attorney to MR ANDREAS SCHRANNER, a citizen of Germany who used to Work with an oil servicing company in Turkey after which be referred to as my client. MR ANDREAS SCHRANNER 62 years of age made a fixed deposit of fund valued at £18,500,000 (Eighteen million five Hundred Thousand Great british Pound Sterling) with a Security Company/Finance institution in Turkey and unfortunately lost his life in one of the bomb blast in Iraq, see link for verification (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8127222.stm) He left no clear beneficiary as Next of Kin except Some vital documents related to the deposit still in my possession.

Recently, the governing body of the Security Company/Finance institution contacted me on this matter, requesting that I should notify the next of kin of my late client to claim the funds and I am yet to provide the Next of Kin to lay claims to the Fund. I know that my client had no living next of kin but i have made lots of search to see if i can get in contact to any of his relatives but my search was fruitless to locate any of my late clients extended relatives. A clear and legitimate agreement with you, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin so that my late client's fund will not be confiscated by the Financial Regulatory Authority. You and I will share the money, you will be entitled to 40% of the total fund for your role as the relative and next of kin of my late client, 60% for me. Be informed that there is no risk involved as all necessary legal document which will be used to back you up as the legal beneficiary and next of kin of my late client will be
procured. All I require is your sincerity, honesty, co-operation and utmost good faiths to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Kindly, get in touch with me by my e-mail or telephone to enable us discuss further. You may also send your telephone number so that I can call you. Do not forget that a transaction of this magnitude require utmost confidentiality and sincerity. I look forward to your urgent response.

Thank you,
Attorney Paul A. Rhodes

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