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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: Stephen Mokeona <rmbh@live.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2013 14:36:29 +0200
Subject: ATTORNEY'S ADVICE


Dear Sir/Madam,
It is our please to inform you about this urgent issue at hand; for the purpose of clarity I am the senior Attorney of Stephen Mokeona and Associates located Building 19 Harrowdene Office Park Kelvin Drive Woodmead Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. I am vested with the authority to execute the last Will & Testament of Late Mr. Edwin Gabriel who was a member of the Helicopter Society and the Institute of Electronic & Electrical Engineers, he died in a ghastly motor accident in South Africa with his wife on the 16th of February 2012; unfortunately they had no child of their own.
Please bear in mind that the reason for this late notification is; since Mr. Edwin Gabriel demised his Will was contested in South Africa Probate Court by his Nephew Mr. Andrew Gabriel who has his own selfish agenda for his Uncle’s estate. The good news now is that last week the South Africa Probate Court has finally ruled on the issue that all beneficiaries should be notified to receive their inheritance, and that is why we send you this email to inform you that Late Mr. Edwin Gabriel left 15% of his total Estate for you which is (USD$7,500.000.00) to use 50% of this money to aid charity of your choice in your country while 50% should be for you and your family; this may sound strange and unbelievable to you but it is real and true, being a widely travelled man Mr. Edwin Gabriel while he was alive, he must have been in contact with you somewhere in the past.
For the bequeathed ($7,500.000.00) to be released to you send us the following information listed bellow for our re-verification to be very sure that we are indeed dealing with the legal person on the will to enable us proceed with the release of your funds. Note that whatever information you give us here is safe and kept confidential only for this purpose.
1.) Your full names2.) Your Current contact address3.) Your Date of birth4.) Your Cell phone5.) Your fax number6.) Your occupation7.) Your nationality
Immediately we are in receipt of the above required information from you, a copy of the Will shall be sent to you immediately for your confirmation before we will proceed with the necessary particulars so that what Mr. Edwin Gabriel left for you would be released to you without delay. Very crucial warning, if you know that this email address doesn’t belong to you; please don’t bother to respond back to us but if you are very sure that indeed this email address is yours don’t hesitate to reply us immediately to proceed.
Regards,
Attorney: Stephen Mokeona

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