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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: Hon.Barrister Marcel Eze <info@usa.org>
Reply-To: hon.barristermarceleze221@onet.eu
Date: 04 Feb 2017 02:59:36 +0800
Subject: YOUR URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED NEXT OF KIN.

MARCEL EZE & CO.CHAMBERS,L.L.B.L.L.M B.L LEGAL
PRACTITIONERS,SOLICITORS AND CONSULTANTS,MEMBER
DRAFTING COMMITTEE 1995.PLOT 121,COTONOU BENIN
REPUBLIC.

Dear Hilda Scott,

I am calling from Benin Republic West Africa.I am
Barrister Marcel Eze,an English speaking
Beninoise,Solicitor and Financial
Attorney/Consultant.I was moved to contact you
based on the present condition of things
here.There is a foreigner who registered with my
Legal firm as his personal Attorney and he was a
stock broker as well as a one time secret agent in
importing oil from overseas for our former
Ministers.My client was also a Diamond/Gold
Merchant.

So,on 2nd June 2001 my client,Mr.George Scott,made
a Fixed deposit for US$46,500,000.00(Fourth Six
Million,Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars Only)with
a Bank here in Benin,with standing
statement/agreement with the bank that all
correspondences in respect to the fixed deposit
contract must be sent to him through my humble
chambers.Upon maturity,the routine notification
was sent to me,which I dispatched to his
forwarding address as usual without a reply.After
a month,I sent a reminder which I received from
the bank without any reply again.


Finally,I discovered from my client's contract
employee that he died among many others on
Sept.11,2001 Terrorist attack.He died without
making any WILL and all attempts to trace his
relatives was fruitless.I also discovered that he
did not declare any kin or relations in all his
official documents,including his fixed deposit
contract with the bank.Hence I seek your consent
to present you to this bank as the next of kin
based on the official letter I just received from
his bankers reminding me that BENINOISE LAW states
that at the expiration of(15)years the money will
be reverted to the ownership of the BENINOISE
Government if I do not confirm the next of kin to
claim the fund.Consequently,my proposal is that I
will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the
next of kin to my deceased client since you shares
the same surname and also from this same country
so that the fruits of this old man's labor will
not go into the hands of some corrupt government
officials.


Note that this transaction is simple and risk free
because I will provide expert legal services that
will guarantee the successful execution of this
deal.If you are interested,please contact me as
soon as possible through phone,I shall provide you
with more details and how we shall proceed with
the claims.I expect you to observe utmost
confidentiality and be rest assured that this
transaction would be profitable for both of us.and
if you are interested contact me through this my
private E-mail Address;
hon.barristermarceleze221@onet.eu

Thanks as I await for your reply.

Best Regards,

Hon.Barrister Marcel Eze

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