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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: Bacar James <mrbacarjames@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 22:13:36 +0100
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL

Dear Sir ,
Greetings and will quickly introduce myself, I am Mr B James , a financial consultant based in Togo, Africa and the nature of my services covers individuals , corporate bodies , institutions and also some government parastatal . I am the financial consultant to late Mr Desire Tagro who deposited the 75kgs of Gold and 32.8 Million USD with a financial institution here in Togo before he was assassinated due to the political misunderstanding in his country, Ivory Coast, he was the Minister of interior. ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10366945 ) . Presently there is a relative of his bearing Madam Esther Tagro who wants me to help them move out the Gold and funds out of Africa for safety reasons and future investments abroad and that is the main reason of sending you the proposal . My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my late client so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you
. I have contacted you to assist me in repatriating the money and Gold left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where these huge deposits were lodged then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon percentage but suggest 25% for your support, assistance and co-operation at making this transaction a success. All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will be provided when I receive a positive response from you and after a proper discussion with you, I will update you with all relevant information that will facilitate the release of the funds to you and require your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through and assure you this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
For now ,I will again suggest three options :
A. Can you come for a visit to Togo so that you will approach the bank with Madam Esther Tagro and myself to lay direct claims to the gold and funds by virtue of the relevant documents which we will prepare legally making you the official international partner and beneficiary of the gold and funds? If you accept this process, indicate and I will elaborate the whole process in my subsequent mail to you.
B.Can you help with the claim of the funds and gold if moved to the international branch of the bank in the Europe?If you accept this option,also indicate in order for me to elaborate properly to your understanding.
C.Can you provide a nominated bank account where the total funds will be transferred in order for me to start the process?If you also accept this option,let me know so that I will explain the process elaborately to your digestion.I await your response in order to know the way forward .
Thank you and best regards.
Mr B James



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