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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: "\"REVEREND DONALD MAXWELL\" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rev_maxwelldonald@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2016 13:24:55 -0400
Subject: FROM REVEREND DONALD MAXWELL

Greetings Dear Foreigner
 
I am Reverend  Donald Maxwell  and  Manager in Charge of treasurer and Accounting section Union Bank of Africa ,
Address (Stallion Plaza 36 Marina Victoria Island P.M.B 2027).
 
i have a proposal for you but i do not know if it is against your ethics.i hope you will accept my mail in good faith.
 
I am writing to request your assistance to transfer the sum of $10,200.000.00 dollars [Ten  million two hundred thousand United States Dollars )
 
The Money was deposited by a major supplier of  Agricultural Equipment's in West Africa named Mr.Nicolaz Albert A German   who died along side with his family on 1st
June 2002 in an Auto Crash in Abuja Badagery express way .May his soul continue to rest in peace .
 
Because this man was good to me when he was alive.I found out that he died along with his next of  kin and the roll-over on the funds has also expired because our
banking law stimulates that after 15 years where the next of kin did not appear for the claim of  funds, the  total fund will  be  confiscated and transferred into
bank treasury as unclaimed funds and to be used by the corrupt Government.
 
In order to avert this negative development, I will like to seek  for your permission as a foreigner in our country  to present you  as the next of kin to Mr.Nicolaz
Albert project fund ,So the Union bank can approve you as next of kin and  total money can be wired/Transferred to  any of your bank accounts abroad, so that the
fruits of this old man's lab-our will not  be used for financing government.
 
This money cannot be approved to a local bank account holder here , but can only be approved to a foreigner  ,since the late depositor  was a  foreigner like you .
 
The money will be paid into your account and  for us to share in the ratio of 50% for me and 50% for you.
 
I will like you to provide  your  Name  and country you reside   ,so i can discuss this matter  further with you .
 
i need you to stand as next of kin of the project fund  ,so i can use my own share to help the poor and invest and supply Malaria vaccines and medicines  that are
killing my people each day .more than 20 children die of malaria each day .
 
i will also  build a church in our community and retire as a banker .
i have lived all my life in Africa and do not  have relatives or business Partners  abroad,This is why i contacted you by email as my only option to reach you .i got
 
your email in google and It is the Almighty that directed me  to you  after series of prayers that you will  reply my email and assist  me achieve this mutual
beneficial business transaction
 
i assure you that this transaction is risk free and success guaranteed .
 
 
My Attorney will  prepare all  the necessary  documents and affidavit which will put you in place as the next of kin. The Attorney will draft and carry out the
notarization of the WILL and also obtain the  necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your favor for the claim.
 
If this proposal is acceptable by you, I expect that you will not take undue advantage of the trust I will bestow upon you
 
I wait for your response for more details regarding the transaction.
 
Best Regards and remain Blessed
 
Reverend  Donald Maxwell
 
 

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