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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: Mr Fred Gamba <fredgamba02001@gmail.com>
Reply-To: fredgab1000@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:02:11 +0000
Subject: Re:Kindly Read/Reply.....

*Good Day,*

*I decided to write you this proposal in good faith, believing that you
will not betray me.I have been in search of someone with the same last name
of our late customer and close friend of mine ( Mr. Richard ) , hence I
contacted you because both of you bear the same surname and coincidentally
from the same country, and I was pushed to contact you and see how best we
can assist each other. Meanwhile I am Mr Fred Gamba, a reputable banker
here in Accra Ghana .*

*On the 15 March 2007, the young millionaire ( Mr. Richard ) a citizen of
your country and Crude Oil dealer made a fixed deposit with my bank for 36
calendar months, valued at US$6,500,000.00 (Six Million, Five Hundred
Thousand US Dollars) and the mature date for this deposit contract was on
31st of January, 2011. But sadly he was among the death victims in the 12
May 2008, Earthquake disaster in China that killed over 5,000 people.
Because he was in China on a business trip and that was how he met his end.*

*My bank management is yet to know about his death, but I knew about it
because he was my friend and I am his Account Relationship Officer, and he
did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, because
he was not married and no children. Last week my Bank Management requested
that Richard should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to
renew the contract or not.*

*I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to
handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happens to know that he
is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the funds for their
personal use, so I don't want such to happen. That is why I am seeking your
co-operation to present you as the Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, since
you bear same last name with the deceased customer.*

*There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. It is
better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors to take
it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we
share the funds in this ratio, 60%40, i.e. equal.*

*Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information highly
confidential.*

*I will review further information / details to you as soon as I receive
your positive reply in my private email address (fredgab1000@gmail.com
<fredgab1000@gmail.com>)*

*Have a nice day and I Anticipating your communication.*

*With Regards,*
*Mr Fred Gamba.*

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