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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: "Chris Wheat" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wheatchris704@freemail.hu>
Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2017 13:39:29 +0200
Subject: Friendly greetings to you

Dear

Good day to you. I am the Director of JP Morgan Chase & Co Bank my Names are Chris Wheat, a Bank director in JP Morgan Chase & Co. I believe it is the wish of God for me to come across you now. I have been in search of someone who I want to work together with so when I came across your email, I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other. I have an important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you, because it is in connection with a transfer and I know you are going to benefit from it.

One Late Peter Souza, a citizen of your the United States had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2005 for 108 calendar months, valued at US$30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million United States Dollars) the due date for this deposit contract was last 22nd of January 2015. Sadly Peter Souza was among the dead victims in a plane crash Flydubai Flight 981 in March 19, 2016 He was in on a business trip to Russia and that was how he met his end.  You can verify me and the accident: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Flydubai_Flight_981

My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because he was my friend and I am his account officer. Interestingly, Peter did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and he was not married and had no children. Last week my Bank Management requested that Peter should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract. I knew this would happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happen to know that Peter is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the funds for their personal use. so I dont want such to happen. I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, and my bank headquarters will release the account to you.

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 equal, 50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to start my own company which has been my dream. Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET.

We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response on my private email: wh3at.chr1s@freemail.hu

Anticipating your communication.

Regards,
Chris Wheat

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