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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: Peter Ponsa <honsik@arcor.de>
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 12:11:34 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: INHERITANCE

ATTORNEY MARK CLARK
ATTORNEYS AT LAW & SOLICITORS
75 KELVIN ROAD, SANDTON
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +27 78 3449667
Fax: +27 86 293 8893
Email: attorneymarkclark@outlook.com,attorneymarkclark2020@outlook.com

Our Ref: PSE 15/9/14 Your Ref: …………….
Dear Friend,

I got your information while searching for a reliable person who will assist me in a business proposal that will be of great benefit to both you and me. I have laid all the trust in you before I decided to disclose this confidential transaction to you.
I am Attorney Mark Clark an Attorney at Law. I have an urgent and very profitable business proposition for you that should be handled with extreme confidentiality. I know this proposal will come to you as a surprise for the fact that we have not met before believing that transaction of this magnitude will make anyone apprehensive or worried but I can assure you that you will not regret been part of this mutual beneficial transaction.
SUBJECT: A deceased Client of mine Name withhold, whom here in shall be referred to as my client, made a numbered time Fixed Deposit for twelve calendar months valued at US$15.5Million Dollars (Fifteen Million, Five Hundred thousand United States Dollars Only in a commercial Bank on January 12,2010

My client was a Consultant, and contractor with the South Africa Solid Minerals Corporation (SSMC).Upon maturity the Bank sent a routine notification in accordance with the Company policy to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month they sent a reminder and finally it was discovered from his contract employers South Africa Solid Minerals Corporation (SSMC) that My Client, his wife and two children died in plane crash in the year 2010.
On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a Will and all attempts to trace his next of kin were fruitless. I therefore made further investigations and discovered that my client did not declare any next of kin or relations in the Deposit paperwork with the Bank.
This sum of US$15.5million I understand was kept in the bank for safekeeping for a contract that he intended to execute. No one will ever come forward to claim it and according to the Government Law as provided in section 129 sub 63(N), South Africa Banking Edit of 1961 at the expiration of 5 years the money will revert to the ownership of the South African Government, if nobody applies to claim the fund.
My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the Next of kin and beneficiary of my deceased client so that the proceeds of this account valued at $15.5million can be paid to you, so we can share the amount on a mutually agreed percentage of 50% for me 50% for you.

All legal documents to back up your claim as the deceased Next of Kin will be provided by me. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

You’re most urgent response will be highly appreciated to avoid making further contacts.
Warmest Regards.

Mark Clark Esq. Reply through: attorneymarkclark@outlook.com

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