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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: "Alex Todd" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alextodd@accountant.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 17:33:07 +0300
Subject: Hello: Please Don't Ignore

From: Mr. Alex Todd.
London, UK

Good day

I am contacting you in this way as a result of necessity and urgency of this issue, I do sincerely believe that you will understand my position and give me your unalloyed support and trust.

My name remains as stated above, an audit officer in a Finance firm in London and I also handle financial consultancy to some private investors and politicians. This transaction relates to a deposit of from a customer who has pass on without any next of kin or info of a relative which I have advised him on several occasion before his sudden demise, my reason for this step is that, should the firm get to know of his demise the entire fund shall be declared to the government or in some cases can not be traced by the official in charge, what I only need to is to position your name on the reserved column as the representative/next of kin to lodge for a claim which I shall substantiate with every necessary documents on your behalf. I assure you this transaction is 100% and will be done legally in accordance with the laws of your country.

I shall share 40% of the total funds with you. I will give you a comprehensive detail explanation as soon as I can hear from you indicating your interest to partner with me and champion this course.

I look forward to your earnest reply.

Kind regards,
Alex Todd.
London, Uk

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