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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: "Mr Charles Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williamscharles1920@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 03:56:02 -0700
Subject: COMPLIMENTS!!!

Dear,
 
Compliments of the day.
 
First of all, let me start by introducing myself. My name is Mr. Charles Williams, the Auditor General of Deutsche Bank London. I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you. I am the accounting officer of Mr. Ken Lay, Enron founder, who died on July, 5th 2006, at the age of 64. It will interest you to know that on Wednesday, 7th February 2001, Mr. Ken Lay deposited a total sum of 21.5M pounds in our Bank. The funds was deposited into a non-existing company's account which I opened in our bank (DEUTSCHE BANK LONDON) under his instructions, to avoid raising an eyebrow but unfortunately for him and fortunately to me, the man is dead leaving nobody to trace or even locate the funds. You can read more about his death by visiting the below websites:
 
http://www.accountancyage.com/accountancyage/news/2171002/enron-ceo-sentence-slashed
 
http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8082101
 
Right now, we have the sum of 21.5M Pounds lying in the account without any proof of ownership as it was opened with non-existing companies name and the bank is not aware of the real beneficiaries as the account did not bear any name. As their account officer and financial adviser in charge of these accounts, I can comfortable present you to the Bank as the real beneficiary of the funds and the Bank have no right to deny the application. The agreement with the Bank was that the funds will be there for 12 years which expired on March 2013.
 
Consequently, my proposal is that I want to seek your consent as a foreigner to stand as the owner of the accounts, since it has no trace or beneficiary which makes it easier and fine to transfer to your designated bank account as the beneficiary. The nature of my work as a staff of the Bank will not allow me lay claim on the funds, hence this proposal to you and be informed that as long as you are ready to cooperate and be truthful to me, I can assure you that the sky will be our limit.
 
All documents and proves to enable you get the money will be carefully worked out and more so, I assure you that the business is risk free, as everything will be handled in accordance with the International Monetary Guidelines. I am offering you 40% for your cooperation in achieving this aim. Please, if you are interested in working with me, I will like you to send the below informations to enable me procure the necessary documents that will back up the transfer to your account:
 
1. YOUR FULL NAMES
 
2. HOUSE ADDRESS.
 
3. AGE, SEX AND MARITAL STATUS.
 
4. OCCUPATION.
 
5. NATIONALITY.
 
6. CELLPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS FOR EASY COMMUNICATIONS.
 
As soon as I receive your acceptance mail by forwarding the above informations, I will prepare the paper works in your name for onward remittance of the funds into your designated account. Lastly, I want you to understand that this transaction requires trust, honest and above all, utmost confidentiality, to avoid escalating.
 
 
Anticipating to hear from you soon.
 
 
Regards.
 
Mr. Charles Williams,
 
The Auditor General,
Deutsche Bank London.

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