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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: "Barr.Malachai" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barristermalachaibruno@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2014 00:53:53 +0100
Subject: MUTUAL BENEFIT

My Dear
I am Barr.Malachai Bruno (Esq.), a legal practitioner. My client who was a member board of trustees SPDC London was killed with his entire family in a fatal accident,sparing none of their lives, some years ago. Before his death, I assisted him in the deposit of some funds with a Security Company for safekeeping.The funds have remained unclaimed since his death, and such unclaimed funds are appropriated and returned to the treasury as a matter of policy. Considering the lack of success in my bid to locate any of his relatives for over a year now, I hereby solicit your consent to enable me present you as the Next of Kin to my deceased client.
I am contacting you for two reasons. Firstly, presenting you as the next of kin, which will makes the claim most credible. Secondly, I strongly believe that the Security Company does not deserve to inherit the funds, These reasons led to my resolve to claim the funds which was why I contacted you,With your permission, I will proceed to establish you as the next of kin/Beneficiary to my late client.
I would want you to furnish me with the following informations which will assist me in this claim,
1,FULL NAME :
2,CONTACT ADDRESS:
3,TELEPHONE AND FAX :
4,OCCUPATION :
These information will assist me to secure the necessary papers in your name When I receive your response.Reply to my private email : barristermalachaibruno@yahoo.com
I await your reply,
Barr.Malachai Bruno
 
 

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