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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. Stephen Clifford" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stephenclifford01@qq.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 08:59:41 -0600
Subject: From Mr. Stephen Clifford

HSBC Bank (UK)
78 St James's Street
London SW1A 1JB
United Kingdom
 
From Mr. Stephen Clifford,
 
I  Am Mr. Stephen Clifford Director, Foreign Remittance Department- HSBC Bank United Kingdom. I am contacting based on a recent meeting held by world bank auditors, in conjunction with the client services manager Mr. David Brooks and chairman board of director Mr.Phillip M. Butterfield, After the meeting, it was agreed that you will receive your inheritance due funds of Five Million United States Dollars Only {US$5,000,000.00} out of your long complicated outstanding payment.
Why we did this, is because according to information gathered from the banks computer, you have been waiting for a long time to receive your inheritance money without success, as I found out that you have almost met all the statutory requirements of the bank in respect of your inheritance payment.
 
I am willing to help you get your money as they me to do so,but please for security reasons do not tell anybody that you have your money until you receive cash at your doorstep.
 
This is something we want to avoid because the boxes were padded with machine. We told the courier service that the boxes contains photographic and film materials and when opened will loose its efficacy. We did not declare money because courier service does not carry money.
 
In your subsequent response I shall send you the details of the courier company which will be in charge of the delivery to your location.
 
You are required to re-confirm the under listed details as soon as possible for onward shipment of your over due inheritance fund:
Your full name:
Private telephone number:
Choice of address {where you wish the consignment delivered}:
God is with us as we wait for your reply.
Sincerely
Stephen Clifford
Direct tel.no:+44-745-227-6338

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