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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: "Mr.William Jones" <wj500040@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 01 Mar 2002 01:07:20 +0100
Subject: Urgent Help !

Dear Sir,

My name is William Jones; I work with Nationwide Auditing, West Virginia, USA
Firstly, I must solicit your confidence in this transaction; this is by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential. Though I know that a transaction of this magnitude will make any one apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that all will be well at the end of the day. I decided to contact you after series of attempt to locate members of deceased family.
There is an unclaimed “permanent life insurance policy” insured for Ten Million Nine Hundred & Fifty Thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy Seven Dollars (US$ 10,950,777.00) with a top Life Insurance Company in USA. The policy holder was one of our clients, Late Eng. Arthur , who worked with Energy Company in London. he died in an accident in London, Seven years ago. Since his death no one has come forward for the claim and all our efforts to locate his relatives have proved unsuccessful. The insurance company code stipulates that “insured permanent policies" not claimed must be turned over to the abandoned property division of the state after seven years.
Therefore, I ask for your consent to be in partnership with me for the claim of this policy benefit, If you permit me to add your name to the policy, all proceeds will be processed on your behalf. I wish to point out that I want 10% of this money to be shared among charity organizations while the remaining 90% will be shared between us.
This is 100% risk free; I do have all necessary documentation to expedite the process in a highly professional and confidential manner. I will provide all the relevant documents to substantiate your claim as the beneficiary. This claim requires a high level of confidentiality and it may take up to thirty (30) business days, from the date of receipt of your consent.
Your earliest response to this matter would be highly appreciated. Kindly reply me on this personal email: wj500040@hotmail.com

William Jones, B.A. (Distinction), J.D. Attorney
Nationwide Auditing
17TH FLR. 500 LEE STREET EAST.
CHARLESTON. 25301. WEST VIRGINIA. U.S.A.
Tel: +13044614938
Email: info@nationwideauditing.com
Web: www.nationwideauditing.com

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