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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: "Franklin Lim" (may be fake)
Reply-To: < franklin_lim@rediffmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 10:42:48 +0100
Subject: Private Investigation


Bank of East Asia ltd.
Bank of East Asia Building,
137 Market Street, Singapore.

Good day ,

My name is Mr. Franklin Lim, I am well trained and work with the Bank of East Asia Ltd Singapore private banking department. I Work as part of a bigger team that covers the entire Asia region. I have taken pains to find your contact through personal endeavors.

On routine audit check, we discovered some investment accounts that have been dormant for the last Twelve years (12yrs), all the accounts belonging to a single holder with monies totalling a little above (US$38.8 Million United States Dollars). Banking regulation/legislation in Singapore demand that I notify the fiscal authorities after a statutory time period of six years when dormant accounts of this type are called in by the monitory regulatory bodies. The above set of facts underscores my reason of writing and making the following proposal.

My investigations of the said account reveals that the investor died in 1998 the exact time the account was last operated, I can confirm with certainty that the said investor died interstate and no next–of–kin to his estate has been found or has come forward all these years. I am of the settled conviction that using my insider leverage, working with you can secure the funds in the account for us instead of allowing it pass as an unclaimed fund into the coffer of the Singaporean Government. This is especially possible as you bear the same LAST NAME to the said investor, and can stand as his extended relative. This exactly is why I crave your participation and co-operation.

I have seized all relevant documents (Legal and Banking) including access to the very account of the deceased. That will facilitate my fronting you as the claimant/sole beneficiary of the decease estate/huge capital (US$38.8M) and ultimately transfer the money to any account nominated by you. Of course you shall be handsomely rewarded for your part in this transaction with 40% compensation from the total funds for your efforts, less any expenses.

I shall however leave out the final details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate. Be assured that I am on top of the situation. There will be no risk involved whatsoever if you agree to come on board. Needless to say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction.

I guarantee that the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect all from any bridge of law.
To affirm your willingness and cooperation to my proposal please contact me through my private email: ( franklin_lim@rediffmail.com ) , stating the followings:

(1) Full Name; (2) Telephone and Mobile Numbers; (3) Postal Address: (4) Occupation; (5) Date of Birth (6)A copy of your Passport/Driver’s license
Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Franklin Lim.

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