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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: Neil Jones <neiljones363@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: Neil Jones <neiljones362@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 17:58:54 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: PLEASE RESPOND


 Goodday,

Firstly, before I proceed, I must first apologize for this unsolicited letter to you. I am aware that this is certainly not a conventional way of approach to establish a relationship of trust, but you will realize the need for my action. I got your contact information from public records while searching for a last name similar to my late client

Let me start by first introducing myself properly to you. My name is Barr. NIEL JONES of Issa Bello & Associate. I am the personal Attorney to Late Ms. Nelulu who lived in Nigeria, before she died along with her family on a car accident along Rumumasi Gauteng road River State, which occurred on 27 December 2009. My deceased client was born by migrant expatriate engineer that came to Nigeria in the 60`s. I have been her attorney for many decades before her death.    

Before the Crash; she had a balance deposit of $50,500,000.00 (Fifty Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) with a Daimond bank here in Nigeria. As the attorney to my late client, the bank has mandated me to present a member of her family (heir/inheritor) to make Claims or the deposited fund will be confiscated and taken to the Bureau of bank Security as unclaimed.
 
After preliminary efforts of search for a direct family member which came to no avail, I was given an ultimatum to look for some relative to come for the claim or have the fund liquidated and made unserviceable in accordance with existing laws.

In accordance with the law of inheritance here, it is clearly stated that whereas the deceased died without living behind an offspring or the immediate biological family are no longer alive, such as in this situation, any of the deceased extended relative stands to inherit whatever property or money left by the deceased. It is on the basis of this section of the law that I want to present you to the bank since the deceased has no relation left to inherit this fund. I know you may not be in anyway related to my late client but having a common surname with her, gives us the chance and privilege to forward the claim.  The modality I have in place, guarantees that if you follow my instructions (The rule of laws) the money will be released to us.

The success of this transaction is entirely based on your cooperation, mutual trust and sense of confidentiality. I have worked out all modalities to complete the operation effectively. Once the deposited fund is released to your name, the fund will be shared in the ratio of 35% for you, 65% for me as our benefit. Kindly send your response via email for further clarification.

The intended transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect us from any breach of the law. However, if this business proposal offends your moral ethics, do accept my sincere apology. If on the contrary you wish to achieve this goal with me, kindly get back to me with your interest for further explanations and directive.
 
Yours Sincerely   

Barr. Neil Jones


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