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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. Brendan Nelson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <brendan_nelson@r7.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 21:47:21 -0700
Subject: ARE YOU CAPABLE OF HANDLING THIS DEAL?

Dear friend,
 
How are you doing and your family? I am Mr.Brendan Nelson Chairman of the Group Audit Committee Department of a Bank in London Piccadilly Circus, here in England called (Royal Bank of Scotland). I am writing you regarding a business proposal that will be of immense mutual benefit to both of us. It might interest you to know that in my department where i serve as the Chairman of the Group Audit Committee department greater London-UK regional office, I just discovered a Sum of £18.5 Million (Eighteen Million Five Hundred Thousand Great British Pounds Sterling) in an account that Belongs to one of our foreign customers, a Late Business Mogul Mr. John Lambert, an American that was a victim of a plane crash on September 16th 2012, killing him and his family members. John Lambert 44, of Springfield, and Robin Melton, 46 of Ozark, died when the SR22 2002 Cirrus crashed in a field near the intersection of Farm Road 81 and Missouri 123. Also in the plane at the time of the crash were
Lambert’s three children — McKinley 15, Grayson 16, and Joshua, 10; we regret the great loss.
 
However, the choice of contacting you is aroused from the geographical nature of where you live, particularly due to the sensitivity of the transaction and the confidentiality herein. Now our bank has been waiting for any of the relatives to come-up for the claim without success over the years. I personally have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives as well. I therefore seek your consent to present you as the next of kin/Beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at £18.5 Million Great British Pounds Sterling can be paid/transferred to you as the named next of kin/beneficiary.
 
This will be disbursed or shared in these percentages, 60% to me and 40% to you. I have secured most legal documents that can be used to back up this claim. All i need is to fill in your details on the documents and legalize then in the law court here to prove you as the legitimate beneficiary. Most importantly, i require your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and trust to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee you that this will be executed under the ambit of Law and under a secured legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
 
If you are capable of handling this deal, kindly write me, giving your re-assuring words, then i will furnish you with more information and details to enable us proceed.
Finally, Don't forget that this is a deal that needs absolute secrecy. And it has to be done as quickly as possible..
 
Thanking you in anticipation of your reply.
 
Best Regards,
 
Mr. Brendan Nelson.
 
 
 

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