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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Godfrey <budeligodfrey@eliterealtyteam.net>
Reply-To: budeligodfrey@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2015 16:40:26 +0300
Subject: Hope to read from you

Hi,
 
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.
My name is Barr. Budeli Godfrey of Adam & Adams
Attorneys. I am the personal Attorney to Late Ms. Nelulu who
lived in England before she died along with her family
in a car accident along Johannesburg, Gauteng road South
Africa where she had gone on a summer holiday with her entire family
This occurred on 27 December 2009. My deceased
client was born by migrant expatriate engineer that came to
England in the 60`s. I have been her attorney for many
decades before her death.
Before the Crash; she had a balance deposit of
$50,500,000.00 (Fifty Million, Five Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars Only) with a Safe bank here in England.
As the attorney to my late client, the bank has mandated me
to present a member of her 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 some 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 relation left to inherit this
fund. I know you may not be in anyway related to my late
client but having a common surname with her, 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. Kindly send your response to my
private email: budeligodfrey@gmail.com
 
For further clarification.
 
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. Budeli Godfrey

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