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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.Karis <evanis@telkomsa.net>
Reply-To: k.masakq@virgilio.it
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2014 14:46:39 +0300
Subject: From Mr.Karis.

Attn: My Dear sir/madam,

Hello I send my greeting to you, i have been trying to reach you, it is important i contact you for a good opportunity to gain access to a deceased funds that has the same last name with you. In brief i am Mr.Karis, I work at Banque Atlantique CI. I have a client by the name Eng.Anthony, a National of your country, who work with an oil servicing company here, he died in the recent most powerful Japan earthquake, triggering a massive tsunami disaster and Nuclear problem. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12709598) he died along with his whole family. Since then I have made several inquiries at his embassy to locate any of his extended relatives but has been unsuccessful. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his last name over the internet, to see if I could locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.

Since there is no one left or available to inherit his estate left here at the bank, i deem it preferable for you to come forth and inherit his funds based on the fact that you have the same last name with the deceased. Please understand that the bank will have to take a decision to transfer the fund to bank treasury as the law here stipulate. The deceased customer deposited the sum of $16. Million united state dollars in fixed deposit at the bank here.

Now please understand that the reason why i am contacting you is based on the fact that you hold the same last name with the deceased depositor as such you are a good rightful beneficiary to his account. Please what is required is simple, you are to apply to the bank as beneficiary / next of kin to the decease (our customer). Upon your acceptance, I will send you an application letter which you will forward to the bank. After the successful transfer of the funds by the bank, we shall split the money 50/50 equally and all expenses such as tax which your country will required from us shall be taken care of by us from the total funds after the successful transfer of the funds. I shall furnish you every information about this transaction so you have noting to fear of worry about. Your assistance and provision of an account suitable to receive the funds is highly needed. You can contact me via this email address for more clarification if there is any thing you do not understand before we proceed.

All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under all legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. In your response, I want you to give me your full names, address, date of birth, telephone and fax numbers. If you can handle this with me, contact me immediately with the requested information, this is essential to prepare the letter i mentioned above and for me knowing where to meet you to receive my part. I shall be waiting to hear from you positively. Thanks.

Yours sincerely,
Mr.Karis.


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