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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: Tom Albion <tom.albin4444@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2018 23:14:01 +0100
Subject: Hello

Hello

I am Mr.Tom Albion, a Bank Officer here in U.A.E. I believe it is the wish
of God for me to come across you now. I am having an important business
discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you,and
you are going to benefit from it.

One Late Peter Hideo a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with
my bank in 2005 for 108 calendar months, valued at US $30,000,000.00
(Thirty Million United State Dollars) the due date for this deposit
contract was last 22nd of January 2014. Sadly Peter was among the death
victims in the May 27 2006 Earthquake disaster
in Java, Indonesia that killed over 5,000 people. He was in Indonesia on a
business trip and that was how he met his end. 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. Peter did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the
account was opened, and he was not married and 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 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 Peter 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 was why when I saw your last name I was happy and I am now
seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the
account, since you have the same last name with him and my bank head
quarters 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 strictly through my
personal email address, tom.albin4444@gmail.com



Anticipating your communication. E-mail; tom.albin4444@gmail.com

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