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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: "Attorney John Fiadjoe" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnfiadjoe365@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 2015 10:47:22 +0530
Subject: Re: Mutual Cooperation

Dear Friend,

I am obliged to open this discussion with you and explore possibilities for mutual cooperation.

I know it is quite unusual to initiate this mode of communication with you without us knowing each other. However, I must admit that the information that I am about to make known to you will be of great benefit to us. I therefore urge for your understanding on the importance of my email.

I was a Lawyer to Mrs. Vanesa Yadarola, who died in 2011 at the age of 67 years leaving behind huge investment funds worth millions of dollars. I have in my possession the vital documents that will enable the deceased investments to be legally claimed.

Recently, the Credit Union where Mrs. Yadarola had her investments sent me a notice to provide any of her Next-of-Kin or relation to claim her inheritance. All my efforts to trace any of her living relation in the past few months was unsuccessful. I decided to contact you after I made up my mind to present a reliable person to claim the inheritance and afterwards, we can share the proceeds of the inheritance claim together.

I wish and pray that you would consider this offer. I will provide all the necessary information that will enable us to successfully claim this inheritance.

I look forward to hearing from you today.

Yours Truly,

John FiadJoe
Principal Partner
Klenam Consults Ltd.

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