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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: "urgent" <alihassan@1z.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:45:13 -1200
Subject: i await your urgent responses

Hello my friend,

 I have been in search of someone that bears the same ?Name? with yours, so when I saw your name I was pushed to contact you immediately and see how best we can assist each other. I am Mr.Hassan Ali a Banker here in GHANA. I believe it is destiny for me to come across your name here. I have an important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you because, it is in connection with your last name and you are going to benefit from it. One of our customers who had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2005 for 60 calendar months, valued at US$25,000,000.00 (Twenty Five Million US Dollars) the due date for this deposit contract was this 16 of January 2010, And 150 KG of GOLD deposited in a safe keeping security company here in Ghana. Sadly the said depositor was among the death victims in the May 26 2006 Earthquake disaster in Jawa, Indonesia that killed over 5,000 people. He was in Indonesia on a business trip and that was how he met his end. My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because he was my friend and I am his account officer. The depositor did not mention any Next of Kin / Heir when the account was opened, and he was not married and no children. Last week my Bank Management requested that I should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract or to divert the fund into the bank treasury. I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happens to know that he is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the funds for their personal use, so I don't want such to happen. That was why when I saw your name I was happy and I am now seeking your cooperation to present you as Next of Kin / Heir to the account, since you have the same surname with him and my bank head quarters will release the account to you. There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. It is better that we claim the fund, than allowing the Bank Directors to take it for their selves under the pretense that they will divert it into the banks treasury, as they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the funds equal, 50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to start my own company which has been my dream. Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response strictly through my personal email address (alihassan5786@hotmail.com) We can as well discuss this on phone; let me have your telephone number and also know when you will be available to speak with me. Have a nice day and remain blessed. NB; more details will be giving to you as soon as i hear from you.
My regards
Mr.Hassan Ali
Email:
alihassan5786@hotmail.com


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