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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: "Donald Wilson." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info_offi10@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 7 May 2016 07:02:43 -0700
Subject: Hello Good Day,

Hello Good Day'
 
My name is Barrister : Donald Wilson Solicitor.The Personal Attorney to Eng.Peter,a national of your country who used to work with Agip Development Company here in Benin Cotonue.On the 6th of December 2013,my client, his wife and their two children were involved in a car accident along lumkpe Express Road.All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives.
 
Since then I have made several inquiries to my late client's embassy to locate any of his blood extended relatives,but this proves unsuccessful,After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of his family but of no avail,hence I contacted you.
 
I have contacted you to assist in repartrating the money and property left behind by my client prior to his death before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.Particularly,the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about $14.5 million dollars.The bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next 14 official working days.since i have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2years and some months now,I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you are from thesame country,so that the proceeds of this account valued at $14.5million dollars can be paid to you,thereafter you and I can share the money. 50% to me and 50% to you,
 
I will secure certificate of deposit and other relevant approvals documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
 
Please get in touch with me by my private email: info_offi10@yahoo.co.jp to enable us discuss further.
 
Best regards,
 
Barrister .Donald Wilson.
 
NB:Pls include to me your private telephone and fax number in your response

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