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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: " paul hoare " <office56@hiformlar1.com>
Reply-To: <phoare7077@onet.pl>
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2017 13:08:21 -0300
Subject: DEAR FRIEND


Dear Friend, =

Greetings =

I'm Paul Hoare,I am a retired banker and now in private business which is =
located in United States. I am contacting you in regards to a deceased clie=
nt who died in United States in January 2013; he was a prominent client of =
mine who happens to be a FOREIGN like you. Before his death, my client depo=
sited (=A327.5 million BGP) at a financial institution in United Kingdom, d=
ocumentations regarding to these transaction indicates that claims can only=
be made by his relative/ family member. Unfortunately he had no Will at th=
e time of his death (Interstate).All efforts made revealed no link to any o=
f his family member. =

However, because of the international financial crises, allot of reforms h=
as been made within the European Union & United Kingdom Financial system; t=
his includes the new law on succession/claims which indicates a duration in=
which such inheritance could be tolerated. The financial institution has m=
andated me to present the next of kin or a relative who will claim the fund=
s. Failure to respond to this ultimatum would legally allow the financial i=
nstitution report such funds to the Bank of England in United Kingdom which=
could be confiscated as unclaimed estate (And eventually go straight to th=
e Government's pocket). I have put in place all necessary requirements conc=
erning the release of this funds and it is my intention to introduce this o=
pportunity to you as the beneficiary. Please note that I shall legally prov=
ide all the necessary information/documentations concerning this fund.
I have decided to contact you with this opportunity. Upon your acceptance=
to cooperate, I agreed that 40% of this money will be foryou, 40% for me a=
nd 20% goes to any acceptable charity organization in your country. For sec=
urity & confidential reasons; I strongly advise that you firstly contact me=
via email. Immediately you get in touch with me with your contact details,=
I would be able to inform you on more detailed information and next steps.=
In conclusion, it's my utmost concern to demand your ultimate honesty,co-o=
peration and confidentiality.
I GUARANTEE that this process would be executed under a legitimate arrang=
ement that would legally protect you from any breach of law. I look forward=
to hear from you. =

Best regards, =

Paul Hoare=20

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