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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: "Desmond Morris Owen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <owendess@yandex.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2017 04:32:05 -0800
Subject: GET BACK TO ME ASAP

Attn'
I am the personal attorney to Late Engr.James Cook, Who is a national of your country. He died on the 7th of July 2010 in an auto accident here in London six years ago.On July 7th, 2010, an Oil consultant with the British Petroleum Corporation, made a numberer of time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$5,000,000.00 (five Million,united states dollars) 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 contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where my client lodged these huge deposits.Particularly, the bank where the deceased had an account valued at about US$5,000,000.00 (five Million,united states dollars) Consequently, the bank issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have his account confiscated within a short time. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over some years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you share the same Name so that the processing of the account valued at US$5,000,000.00 can be paid to you for both of us to share the funds; 55%me and 45% to you, while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require.
With your Cooperation and assistance I will secure all necessary legal documents that can be used including his account number in the bank to backup the claim in your favor, All I require is your honest/Sincere 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 back to me with your below information's, to enable us discuss further and thanks for your understanding with my proposal.
 
Your full names, current address, your country, and your Telephone /mobile phone number for easy communication
 
Thanks for your kind cooperation
 
Barr. Desmond Morris Owen.

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