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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Gerwyn Samuel <abrugman@stipte.nl>
Reply-To: gerwynsamuel6@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 09:46:31 -0700
Subject: Message




Hello,

I wish to intimate you with a request that would be of immense benefit
to both of us. Being the executor of the Will, it is possible that we
may be tempted to make fortune out of my client situation, when we
cannot help it, or left with no better option.

The issue I am presenting to you is about my client who wills a
tremendous amount of funds to his next-of-kin. It was most unfortunate
that he died with his next-of-kin same day in the Sharjah plane crash of
Tuesday 10 February 2004.

I am now in a dilemma to either pass the fortune to government or
quickly take advantage of it. According to our law, I don't know if you
are aware, the fortune is supposed to be bequeathed to government as
there is no surviving next-of-kin.

However, I do not share in that sentiment which proposes that the
fortune of unlucky people be given to the government.
I seek your assistance to act as the beneficiary of the inheritance, and
lay claim to these funds (£12.4million), which this my unfortunate
client bequeathed to his next-of-kin. For now, it is only known to me,
as my client has great confident in me. Everything will be left between
you and me.

The share would be 40% for you and 60% for me. All I have to do is to
modify the Will stating you as the beneficiary to the £12.4million.
I prefer not to divulge my full identity so as not to risk being
debarred. The British Bar council considers it a breach of the oath of
the bar council. I need not emphasize to you that the sensitivity of
this issue need not be toyed with by neglecting its confidentiality.
At this point I want to assure you that your true consent, full
cooperation and confidentiality are all we require to take full
advantage of this rare opportunity.

This is an opportunity that people rarely have. Please embrace this by
reverting to me urgently to enable me proceed.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours truly,

Barr. Gerwyn Samuel













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