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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: "Mark James O'neill" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <neill_markjames@yahoo.co.nz>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2015 08:11:43 +0800
Subject: RE: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

>From The Desk of Mark James O'neill
Email: markjames_oneill@yahoo.co.nz

Good day,


I am Mark James O'neill i work as an auditor for Hughes Assets Management a private subsidiary of Bank of Ireland (UK) Plc,I apologize for my interference into your privacy as this was done out of my desire to locate a matured and trustworthy individual who can guarantee the confidence required in this matter.

On a routine audit check last month, I discovered an investment account portfolio that has been dormant for the last fifteen (15) years and all the accounts belonging to a single holder with funds totaling a little above (?1,110,000.00) Eleven Million One Hundred and Ten Thousand Pounds.

Banking rules in the UK demands that the fiscal authorities be notified when accounts are dormant for this period as that will enable the funds to be called in by the regulatory body and pass on as an unclaimed fund back to the treasury and have the account closed .

After further inquiry my investigation reveals the client bears the same surname with you and i can confirm with certainty that the deceased died intestate and no next?f?in has been found or has come forward all these years .This is why i crave your indulgence ,officially the most important guiding principle of the Inheritance law is its emphasis on the wishes and intent of the individual that has died. I want you to understand it is only an outsider to the banking world who finds the internal politics of the financial world aberrational.

My proposal is i am prepared to place you in a position to give instruction for the release of the deposit to you as the closest surviving next of kin .Your reward will be 40% of the total funds if you accept to partner with me on the claim process .

I can guarantee that this transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect us without breaching any law .Once i read back from you i will furnish you with further details.

To affirm your willingness and cooperation to my proposal please reply with the following:

1. YOUR FULL NAME:
2. DATE OF BIRTH:
3. CURRENT ADDRESS /COUNTRY:
4. OCCUPATION/RANK:
5. PHONE NUMBER /DIRECT MOBLE NUMBER/FAX NUMBER

This information would enable me file an application with the bank for immediate release of the late deceased deposit to you as the next of kin.

Regards,
Mark James O'neill
Email: markjames_oneill@yahoo.co.nz

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