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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: "Barrister William Cox" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <william2040cox@qq.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2016 01:37:05 +0100
Subject:

I am Barrister William Cox,an attorney at law.A deceased client of mine
that bears the same last name as yours,who died as the result of a heart-
related condition in March 12th 2013.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
 
 
I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left behind by my
client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where
this deposit valued at GBP 13.8m (GBP British Pound) is lodged.This bank
has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, 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 of my named client, since you have the same last 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
 
 
This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you
from many breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your moral
values,do accept my apology. I must use this opportunity to implore you to
exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this matter extraordinary confidential
whatever your decision, while I await your prompt response.Please contact me
at once to indicate your interest. I will like you to acknowledge the receipt
of this e-mail as soon as possible and treat with absolute confidentiality and
sincerity. I look forward to your quick reply.
 
Best regards
Barrister William Cox
Email     william2040cox@qq.com

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