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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. Donald Lee" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrdonaldlee74@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2014 19:58:37 -0800
Subject: Waiting for your urgent response.....

>From Mr. Donald Lee
Dear
 
It is a fact that we have not met before neither have we had any previous business dealings, but I strongly believe that with understanding and trust we can have a successful business relationship.
 
How are you and your family today? my name is Mr. Donald Lee, Regional Manager of Santander Bank United Kingdom (UK) , before us is a great opportunity. Described here-under for our mutual benefit and hope you will understand the nature of the transaction and keep it a top secret. On February 10 2011, My client; Mr.Richard Noble, was killed in Airplane crash at Cork Airport-Manx2 Flight 7100, Fairchild Metro liner III in the Republic of Ireland.
 
After going through his file in our bank, I discovered that he left the sum of ?20.000, 000.00 GBP(Twenty Million British Pounds Sterling) without specifying any beneficiary to his file as next of kin. The fund in question can only be released to specified next of Kin to Late Mr. Richard Noble.
 
Now this money is unclaimed fund; this is where i require assistance and seek your consent to present you as the next of kin Bonafide Beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at 20.Million British Pounds Sterling will be transfer to your account, which we will share in these percentages ratio;60% for me and 40% to you and I assured you that this transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law both in your country and here in London, upon consideration and acceptance of this offer, Kindly get back to me at your most early convenience so that I Can Brief you on the next line of action how we can proceed to transfer this fund to your account immediately
 
Yours Faithfully
Mr. Donald Lee
Email:mrdonaldlee74@gmail.com

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