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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: "Dr. John"<zhaopin@ccfund.com.cn>
Reply-To: <pr1gb@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2016 05:13:04 -0500
Subject: hello VGRMWUZOKV

This is HTML source of message you composed. Do not modify here. To modify this message press HTML Messages Editor button.
 
Hello,
 
I am Dr. Desmond Bruss, Auditing and Accounting Manager for Ecobank Ghana Ltd. A deceased client of mine, that shares the same sign name as yours died as a result of a heart-related condition in March 12th 2005. His heart condition was due to the death of all the members of his family in the tsunami disaster on the 26th December 2004 in Sumatra Indonesia .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake
 
My late client who shared the same sign name with you deposited $18.3 million. Eighteen million three hundred thousand dollars lodged in the bank here in Ghana and now the fund details are overdue. This bank has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin (of which there's none), or the account will be confiscated.
 
My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary to my late client, since you have the same sign name, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon percentage. All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will be provided. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.
I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise your utmost indulgence to keep this matter extraordinarily confidential, whatever your decision, while I await your prompt response.
 
Please send your full names, address and direct phone number so we can discuss more on phone regarding the transaction.
 
Sincerely and respectfully yours,
Dr. Desmond Bruss
http://www.ecobank.com/ Ecobank Brokerage Services LLC
Best ISAs, SIPPs and Funds - Ecobank Continental Investment
http://www.ecobank.com/
LFIPLVSEHMCERXRFJNFJZPNLFVTCOLSIQVMIWZ

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