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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: "Joe Pullen" <info@lawoffice.org>
Reply-To: barr.joepullen@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 11 May 2015 11:41:06 -0500
Subject: FYI!!

This is for your attention.

We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the
total sum of Fourteen million Six hundred Thousand British Pounds Sterling
in the intent of the deceased (names now withheld since this is our second
letter to you). We contacted you because you bear the surname identity and
therefore can present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance since
there is no written will.

Our legal services is to provide our private clients with a complete
service. We are happy to prepare wills, set-up and administer Trusts,carry
out the administration of estates and prepare and administer powers of
attorney. All the papers will be processed in your acceptance. In your
acceptance of this deal, we request that you kindly forward your letter of
acceptance your current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address
to the email below to enable us file necessary documents at our High court
probate division for the release of this sum of money.

Yours faithfully,
Joe Pullen.
barr.joepullen@gmail.com

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