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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: Stephen Winnington <win17664748@post.com>
Reply-To: SGUK1966@YAHOO.COM
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 00:46:47 +0200
Subject: Please read carefully and reply ASAP!

Dear Friend,

I know this email must come to you as a surprise in that we have neither
met nor spoken before, but I believe that it takes just a contact for
people to meet and become great friends and business partners. This is a
personal and private letter directed to you and I request that it be
treated as such.

My name is Stephen G. Winnington, a Retiree. I was the personal
Financial Advisor to a late Client that died in a car crash along with
his immediate family members on the 16th of September 2007. Shortly
after his death, I was directed by his bank to locate any of his
extended relatives whom shall be claimant/beneficiary of his fixed
deposit account with the bank valued at Eight Million Great British
Pounds (£8,000,000.00). I tried my best to locate any of his family
members but all such efforts were unsuccessful. I also sought the
assistance of his original Home Country Embassy here in London in
locating any of his relatives without any success. Just last week, I
received yet another letter from the holding bank indicating that
proceedings for the forfeiture of this fund to the British Government in
line with enabling laws will be initiated if no Next of Kin came forward
to claim the fund by the 10th anniversary of his death being 16th of
September this year (2017). Considering the amount of fund involved and
non productive use it could be subjected to should this happen, I
decided to urgently search for a credible and trusted mature individual
with same last name as my late Client to partner with in diverting this
fund to a foreign bank account anywhere for onward sharing between us.

To commence the process of claim and transfer of this fund to your
designated bank account, you need firstly signify your interest by
return mail, and I give you full details regarding this deal on gaining
your confidence. Rest assured that there are no risks involved as all
process involved in achieving a smooth transfer of this fund to your
nominated account would be legally followed. Do also note that I have
with me, copies of the original documents to the fixed deposit account
needed to give credence and legitimacy to the claim. The documents were
entrusted in my care by my late Client days after making the fixed
deposit, so you need not entertain any fears. Also note that from my
discreet investigation, successful transfer of the

Fund to your nominated account can be achieved within 16 Banking days of
signifying your interest. Like I said, I require only a solemn
confidentiality on this. Please, include your Private and confidential
Phone number (preferably Mobile) in your reply.

Best regards,

Stephen G. Winnington

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