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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: "Ramon Williams." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ramonwilliams2015@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2015 12:32:40 -0500
Subject: GOOD DAY...

BARR.RAMON WILLIAMS (ESQ).
R.M. WILIAMS & NOBLE ASSOCIATES
MANAGING PARTNERS/SOLICITORS
 
Dear Beneficiary,
 
RE: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST
 
On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Engineer. James Smith, I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter to you returned undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you again by this same email address on the WILL.
 
I wish to notify you that Late Engineer. James Smith made you a Beneficiary to his WILL.  He left the sum of Eighteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($18,500.000.00 USD) to you in the codicil and last testament to his WILL. This may sound strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and true. Being a widely traveled man, he must have been in contact with you during his Humanitarian works in the past or simply you were recommended to him by one of his numerous Friends abroad who loves your philanthropic works and wished you good. .
 
Engr. James Smith, until his death was a member of the Helicopter Society and the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers. He had a very good heart and was a philanthropist.  His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time. From. UNO, WHO, & UNESCO.
 
Late Engr. James Smith died on the 13th day of December, 2010. At the age of 57, and his WILL is now ready for execution. According to him this money is to support your humanitarian activities and to help the poor and the needy in your society. Please if I reach you this time as I am hoping, endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job, Which is to make sure that this money gets to you, as the Beneficiary.  I hope to hear from you in no distant time.
 
 
the following information; your full names and address, your occupation, your date of birth and your phone and fax numbers
 
(1) Your contact address:.......
(2) Your Mobile/Fax numbers:....
(3) Your Nationality/Country:....
(4) Your Full Name:.....
(5) Occupation/Company:....        
(6) Age/Gender:....
(7) Email.......
                             
 
Sincerely yours,
 
BARR.RAMON WILLIAMS (ESQ).
R.M. WILIAMS & NOBLE ASSOCIATES
MANAGING PARTNERS/SOLICITORS

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