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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: "Webster stephen" <reputable381172@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: <reputable38@physicist.net>
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 17:35:21 -0700
Subject: Just For You/Reply Asap

It is my humble pleasure to write you this confidential letter irrespective of the fact that you do not know me. Hence, I solicit your strictest confidence in this transaction, this is by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential and top secret as I am writing you in confidence for good relationship. My Names are Webster Stephen Alexander; I am the REMITTANCE DIRECTOR in a Commercial Bank here in London.I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us.
 
 
We had a customer and business tycoon from Iraq who had a deposit of 27,750,000.00 pounds (Twenty Seven Million,Seven Hundred and Fifty thousand Pounds) before he died in the recent war in Iraq.He died along with his family during his visit to oversee his companies and the entire family.The Bank have been expecting his next of kin/relative(s) for the inheritance of the deposit, but none has shown up.
 
The policy of the Bank however stipulates a limited time period for such inheritance to be made or the fund will be written off going by the record of the incident, the time limit for the claim is closing up Soon for the next of kin to show up or the account will be closed and i came to have the knowledge of this account as the auditor in the bank. I happen to come across this file when i was going through the records for 2012 by December.
 
In this consideration, I am contacting you to seek for your kind understanding and sincere co-operation to claim this inheritance for our mutual benefit in view of the fact that you are a Foreigner. If you can stand as the next of kin in this project, success is assured because I am in possession of the personal file jacket of the deceased which contains every needed information about the deceased account, you and I stand no risk of any kind because I have enough information to support you in claiming the inheritance.
 
The proceedings of the transaction will be shared 70% for me and 30% for you after expenses are reimbursed. Kindly indicate your willingness and we shall proceed with the initial step for the claim after we might have signed an agreement.
 
The entire project is expected to last for about ten working days. Hope to hear from you soonest showing your interest and willingness.
 
Please bear in mind that this is not jokes or games people choose to play on the internet. My solicitation is for real and my intentions are genuine. If you are a prominent personality you will understand the situation. If I could have your attention, I would furnish you with further details of this project and situation.
I will be waiting for your response once you are interested in my proposal with the following information:
 
Your full name and contact address
Your occupation, age and position
Your private telephone and fax number for communication purpose
Attach your ID either a/an Driver license or International passport
 
Please free to ask question for further information.
 
Warm Regards,
Webster Stephen

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