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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: "Barr Patrick Kelk" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <patrick_kelk_ng@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2015 03:58:32 -0800
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL

 
    Dear Sir,
    
    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.It may surprise you receiving this letter from me, since there was no previous correspondence between us.My names are Barr.Patrick Kelk. From Akachukwu Associate.I am the personal Attorney to Late Mr. Morgan,who lived in Acra Ghana before he died along with his family in an accident, which occurred on 27 December 2010 in Nigeria.My deceased client is a citizen of your country and he was into Gold/Diamond in Ghana and also an oil merchandise in Nigeria National Oil Company.I have been his attorney for many decades before his death. 
    
    Before the incident;he had a balance deposit of $15,700,000.00 (Fifteen Million, seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollar Only) with a Safe bank here in Acra Ghana.As the attorney to my late client,the bank has mandated me to present a member of his 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 his 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 relations left to inherit this fund.I know you may not be anyway related to my late client but having a common surname with him,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.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.Patrick Kelk.
 

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