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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: "Garry & Co Auditors UK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dnahugos@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2017 22.35.05 +0100
Subject: Greetings To You And Your Family.

Hello,
 
 
I have contacted you because I have carried out research into a dormant account of a deceased client at the financial institute where I presently audit its accounts; here in the United Kingdom and the client have no heirs. The account has a significant amount of money in it. An account is judged to be dormant if there has been no activity in it, or contact with the client, for 15 years. Normally, account holders lose contact due to death without leaving a will and there's no known heir to inherit. The treasury department receives the unclaimed money unless, a previously unknown distant relative, comes and puts a claim on it; which is usually within a limited time frame.
 
 
The United Kingdoms Treasury Department receives over £10bn every year from unclaimed estates; forgotten funds; abandoned shares and dormant accounts and some of it could be ours if we can work together as I can provide all relevant documents and information. We could present you as the next of kin to deceased, as laid out in section 46 of the Administration of Estates Act of 1925 (with subsequent amendments) if you agree to work with me.
 
 
I will need to enter into an agreement with you, which will cover the disbursement aspect of funds. Furthermore, you will have to sign a consent form that gives the lawyer power of attorney to represent you at the probate office (for the Procurement of the Grant of Probate). The amount in question currently stands at £31,000,000.00 (Thirty one million British Pounds Sterling only).
 
At the closure of this transaction, 50% of the total funds will be yours. So, if you would like to team up with me discreetly to secure these funds for ourselves, please have your full information sent to me which include, full name, address, age, occupation and contact number(s).
 
I await your careful considered answer as when we proceed we cannot stop half way, as this is one in a life time opportunity to go big.
 
Sincerely,
Garry Hills
Garry & Co Auditors UK
London Road, Croydon
CR0, England.
Email: barristerlawfirm@barrgarrylaw.com

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