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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: "Peter Goldstein" <p.goldstein11@yandex.com>
Reply-To: p.goldstein1@yandex.com
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2015 21:58:56 -0700
Subject: Let's do this

Hello,

I am Peter Goldstein, with Goldstein Law Firm and Real Estate solicitors, London United Kingdom. We have a deceased client (Mr. Andrew) who died and left a huge estate, he bears the same surname with you.

Since his death I have received several letters from the Bank where he deposited the fund before his death, to provide his next of kin or any of his relatives who can make claim to the funds before the end of the year or the Bank will be left with no option than to confiscate the fund and turn the money back to the state as it has been marked unclaimed. I have
conducted my personal search to see if I can make contact with any of his relatives but without success, it is in the course of my effort that I have to contact you.

I have closely checked and since you bear the same surname with my deceased client it will be better to present you as the next of kin and the right beneficiary of the funds in the account. I will provide you with all the necessary legal backing that is required until this money is paid out to you, and then we shall share it based on our agreement.

Do respond quick if you are interested or should you need further clarification because we have no much time left.

Regards,

Peter Goldstein
Goldstein and Associates,
London
United Kingdom

Anti-fraud resources: