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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: "John Harry" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnharry321@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 01:44:14 +0300
Subject: From Mr.John

Hello Sir,
Compliments of the day!
I am Mr. John Harrison. I work with one of the reputable banks here in London, UK. I have a business proposal that I wish to entrust into your care. This is about the account of our late client who happens to share same name identity with you. He died without any registered next of kin to this account and i would like to present you to the bank as the beneficiary next of kin . I was his account officer to this account before he died so I have all the documents to this account. I will provide all the legal papers from the British Court to prove you as the beneficiary next of kin to this account. If I can be assured of your ability to treat this issue with every bit of confidentiality and maturity putting my integrity foremost, on your confirmation of this message and indicating your interest, reply to johnharry321@yahoo.com and i will furnish you with more details.
PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH YOUR DIRECT MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBERS, YOUR OTHER NAMES, YOUR PRESENT COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE AND YOUR AGE.
Regards,
 
Mr.John Harrison.

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