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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: "Christian Tong" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <karl0978038@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2017 23:24:25 -0800
Subject: COMPLIMENT OF THE SEASON!!

RBJL - Robin Bridge & John Liu
5th & 6th Floors, Wincome Centre,
39 Des Voeux Road,
Central,
Hong Kong
 
Dear,
 
I am Christian Tong, a senior partner at Robin Bridge & John Liu Solicitors and Sole executor of late Mr. Peter estate. Peter was a businessman who lived and died in the UK but had businesses in Europe, United States of America and Asia.
I have tried to find his extended relatives whom shall be suitor/inheritor to his abandoned personal estate and all such attempt has been to no advantage. The bank has threatened to retire these abandoned personal assets to the relevant authorities; in line with existing laws.
To avert this, I decided to search for a possible family member (regardless distant) as I was contacted because of my affiliation with the United States Department of State as I can easily identify with and verify the identity of the beneficiary. I did not only contact you because you bear same surname with my client but because I already have enough information about you to make this transaction possible without any setbacks. I need your approval to introduce you as the closest family member to him. I have good records that would bestow you legal rights.
Feel free to contact me and make further inquiry on how best to proceed and for more details about this transaction as more details will be divulged when we are both certain you can handle this transaction.
Best regards,
 
Christian Tong
Senior Partner at Robin Bridge & John Liu Solicitors

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