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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: "Fidel Brandon." <twroclawski@pcmconsulting.pl>
Reply-To: bramfellix@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 09 Oct 2015 04:02:50 +0800
Subject: Urgent Profitable Request


Attn: , Thanks for your response. I must thank you for giving me the =
audience to explain this important issue to you. I have been in search of =
someone from your country with your surname, and who is capable of handling=
this transaction, so when I came across your profile online, I was pushed =
to contact you and see how best we can assist each other, because I know yo=
u are the right choice for this transaction. I am Fidel Brandon, a Bank Of=
ficer here in U. A. E. I believe it is a great opportunity for me to share =
this vital information to you today, which I know will interest you, as you=
are going to benefit from it. One Late Micheal , a citizen of your count=
ry had a fixed deposit of a huge amount of money with my bank in 2010 for 6=
0 calendar months, the due date for this deposit contract was 22nd of March=
2015. Sadly He was among the death victims of March 11, 2011 Tokohu-Oki E=
arthquake/ Tsunami disaster Japan that killed over 19,000 people. He was in=
Tokohu-Oki on a business trip and that was how he met his end. My bank ma=
nagement is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because he was my =
friend and I am his account officer. He did not mention any Next of Kin/ He=
ir when the account was opened, and he was not married and no children. L=
ast week my Bank Management requested that He should give instructions on w=
hat to do about his funds, if to renew the contract. I know this will happe=
n and that was why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation,=
because if my Bank Directors happen to know of his death and do not have a=
ny Heir, they will take the funds for their personal use, so I don't want s=
uch to happen. That was why when I saw your profile, I was happy and I am =
now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the ac=
count, since you have the same surname with him and my bank will release th=
e account to you. There is no risk involved, this transaction will be exec=
uted under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and I from any br=
each of law. It is better that we secure this wealth, than allowing the B=
ank Directors to take it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, =
so I am proposing we share the funds equal, 50/50% to both parties, my shar=
e will assist me to start up business after my retirement which has been my=
dream. Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information =
as TOP SECRET and SERIOUS. I will give you more details once I receive your=
urgent response strictly through this my personal email address. Your ur=
gent response is required through my private email: {bramfellix@gmail.com}.=
Anticipating your communication soonest. Regards, Fidel Brandon. Email=
: bramfellix@gmail.com

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