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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: EARNEST LAWARENCE <earnestlawarence@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2015 20:09:05 +0100
Subject: IMPORTANT BUSINESS MESSAGE

Dear Sir/Madam,



I am EARNEST LAWRENCE the director in-charge of auditing and
accounting section of commercial bank in Nigeria West Africa with due
respect and regard. I have decided to contact you on a business
transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of
the transaction. During our investigation and auditing in this bank,
my department came across a very
huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died on November
2013 in a plane crash and the fund has been dormant in his account
with this bank without any claim of the fund in our custody either
from his family or
relation before our discovery to this development.

Although personally, I keep this information secret within myself and
my partners to enable the whole plans and ideas be profitable and
Successful during the time of execution. the said amount was US$
14M(fourteen million Dollars).United States Meanwhile,all the whole
arrangements to put claims over this fund as the bonafide next of kin
to the deceased, get the required approval and transfer this money to
a foreign account has been put in place and directives and needed
information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your
interest and willingness to assist us and also benefit yourself to
this great business opportunity.

In fact I could have done this deal alone but because of my position
in this country as a civil servant,we are not allowed to operate a
foreign account and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side
during the time of transfer because I work in this bank.this is the
actual reason why it will require a second party or fellow who will
forward claims as the next
of kin with affidavit of trust and oath to the bank and also present a
foreign account where he will need the money to be re-transferred into
on his request as it may be after due verification and clarification
by the
correspondent branch of the bank where the whole money will be
remitted from to your own designated bank account. I will not fail to
inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On smooth
conclusion of this transaction,you will be entitled to 30% of the
total sum as gratification, while 10% will be set aside to take care
of the expenses that may arise
during the time of transfer and also telephone bills,while 60% will be
for me and my partners.Please,you have been advised to keep top secret
as we are still in service and intend to retire from service after we
conclude
this deal with you.

I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you
confirm the money in your account and ask us to come down to your
country for subsequent sharing of the fund to percentages previously
indicated and further investment,either in your country or any country
you advice us to invest in. All other necessary information will be
sent to you when I hear
from you. I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating
your wish in this deal.

Yours faithfully,

EARNEST LAWRENCE.

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