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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: "David Barker" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <db50m@aol.de>
Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2017 05:52:01 -0500
Subject: Your Inheritance

Hello,
 
Ref: Information about Your Relation
 
Compliment,I am David Barker, I work with a Financial Institution and it has been my duty over a year now to find a next of kin/beneficiary to the estate of a late client , while on his sick bed.
I was his portfolio manager for about 6 years before his death three months ago. He died intestate and no one has come to claim. We have tried on several occasions over this year to find you as a surviving next of kin / relative but it has remained unsuccessful. This is my second but final attempt to reach you in view of this subject matter.
 
There is Estate (Cash deposit in our institution and some landed Properties) belonging to your late family member. This has remained unclaimed. Once I receive your information and endorse same appropriately, I shall provide you with all the privileged information of the deceased and also will give you guidelines on how to realize this goal without the breach of the law. Contact me immediately for more information and to begin the legal process of redeeming your lawful entitlement before the bank is compelled by law to hand over the money to the government.
 
I anticipate your early response.
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
David Barker

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