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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: "Mrs Pam Walkden" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <walkdenpamela@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2018 20:46:11 -0700
Subject: Dear Friend

Hello and good day,
 
Thanks for your swift response.I will formally introduce myself to you because I had to disguise on my Linkedln profile for security reasons. My name is MS Pam Walkden, and I currently work as a Group Head, Human Resources at Standard Chartered Bank, London, United Kingdom. I am sorry to have encroached into your privacy in this manner, however without delays; I will immediately proceed with the details of the proposal as said in my introductory Email on LinkedIn.
 
I would respectfully request that you keep the contents of this mail confidential and also respect the integrity of the information that you are coming across as a result of this mail. I contacted you privately and as such no one is aware of this communication thus the reason why I had us communicate strictly via our private email.
 
I am the personal accountant to one a foreign contractor with Royal Dutch who has an investment account with my bank. Unfortunately, my client died along with his nuclear family in France while on sabbatical in the summer of 2008, may their soul rest in peace. He died without leaving a Will. Several efforts were made to find his extended family through his embassy without success.
 
I received a notice last week to provide the next of kin of my late client been his personal accountant or the account risk been transferred to the government (ex-cheat) in 14 days time. I am contacting you to assist me in repatriating the funds left behind by my late client.
 
This claim will be executed without breaching any United Kingdom laws and success is guaranteed if we co-operate on this. The bank will release the account to you because my recommendation of you as the next of kin
 
I am a religious woman and I cannot lie; I expect the same from you. The amount involved is £5,649,400.00 Pounds (Five Million Six Hundred And Forty Nine Thousand Four Hundred British Pound Sterling); I propose we share the proceeds 50/50, I think this is fair.I will give you all the necessary information about this deal when I get your response. I am contacting you to assist me because you have same surname/last name with my late client.
 
I anticipate your cooperation. Treat this proposal with utmost confidentially and urgency for a 100% success.Do not take undue advantage of the trust I have bestowed in you.
 
My position as a Group Head, Human Resources guarantees the successful execution of this transaction. If you find yourself able to work with me, I urge you to indicate to that effect. Once again, Do observe utmost confidentiality and be rest assured that this transaction would be profitable for both of us. For more information about me please visit: https://www.sc.com/en/about-us/our-people/about-us-our-people-profile/pam-walkden.html . Please note that a quick response from you will be highly appreciated. Reply to this email address : walkdenpamela@yahoo.com  for confidentiality.
 
Best Regards
 
Mrs Pam Walkden

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