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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: maclain_harry1964 <maclain_harry1964@yeah.net>
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 04:56:40 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Respected Friend,


Respected Friend,

I'm Dr Dr.Mclain Harry, Finance Director in the Prestige Banking section ( HSBC PRIVATE BANK PLC UK ) Permit me to ask for your utmost confidentiality in these matter I write to you about. I have been a top executive of this bank for several years during which time I have handled a lot of private banking activities for various people on behalf of the bank.

I write to you regarding the estate of Fatal Wayne Ryan Gordon an Australian business man, an investment placed under our bank’s management five years ago. With accrued interest, his investment is now worth Eight million two hundred and fifty thousand British Pounds (£ 8,250,000). When Mr Wayne Ryan Gordon failed to show up or send any instructions regarding the fund, several notices were sent out and subsequent investigation by the bank revealed that he and his family had been killed during the uprising in Libya. Their home in Sirte had been destroyed by a bomb explosion. As personal manager of his portfolio, I am aware that he has such deposit with the bank with no nominated next of kin.

I propose that since I only have exclusive access to his file, I will add your name to his file as his next of kin and you will be made the beneficiary of the fund. Upon verification, which will be the details I will make available to my bank, my bank will make payments to you. For your assistance, your share will be 40%, and I shall fly over to your country for my share. In the banking circle this happens every time, or the money will revert back to the state. This is 100% risk free as all documentations will make it legal and satisfy international banking laws.

This is a lifetime opportunity for us. I am a family man, I have a wife and children. I send you this mail not without a measure of fear as to the consequences, but I know within me that nothing ventured is anything gained. This is the one truth I have learned from my private banking clients. For security reasons, contact me via email as I do intend to keep this transaction as discreet as possible and would advice you do same. i expect you get back to me through my private email id (mr.maclain1960@yahoo.com)

Thanks and Yours Faithfully
Dr.Mclain Harry.

Anti-fraud resources: