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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: "Mr. Robert Malandrucco" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info.malandrucco@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2016 00:54:32 -0700
Subject: Notification Of Your Inheritance.

Greeting to you,
 
I am Mr. Robert Malandrucco, a personal account manager to Late Engr. John who died with his family in the missing Malaysian Air crash of 2014. His account with us is in intestate with no claim on his fixed deposit of $12.5M USD.
 
I have been mandated by the Bank Management as his personal account officer, to present his relative or next of kin within the shortest time possible. I have searched through notary register of his country here and lately the internet for name match but all to no avail.
 
You have the same last name with my late client, so I wish to present you to the Bank as his only relative and next of kin to enable the bank to release the fund to you for our benefit.
 
Kindly contact me for more details, There is no risk whatsoever to this transaction.
 
I wait for your prompt response.
 
My Regards,
Mr. Robert Malandrucco.

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