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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: "Martin O´Brian Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <martinsmith411@outlook.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2018 23:42:47 +0200
Subject: Hello Friend

From: Martin O´Brian

Hello Friend,

How are you today? I am Dr. Martin O´Brian, I am the Group Financial Controller at Lloyds Guaranty Bank Plc here in London- United Kingdom. I am writing this message to you because of your surname. One late Mr. PETER a citizen of your country, who had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2009 for 48 calendar months, valued at (£4,300,000.00 Euro) (Four Million, Three Hundred Thousand GDP) the due date for this deposit contract was in November 2012. Sadly "late Mr. PETER was among the death victims in the march 11th 2011 Earthquake disaster in Japan, He was in Japan on a business trip when the Earthquake happened. I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, since you have the same surname with him and my bank head quarters will release the account to you.

Please if you are not kindly, Kindly discard this message or contact me strictly on my email, as i will not discuss any further via Facebook.

With Regards,

Dr. Martin O´Brian
E-Mail: martinsmith411@outlook.com

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