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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: Paul Mertz <kemalh@tpgi.com.au>
Reply-To: <pmerzt@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 20 May 2019 18:34:05 +0100
Subject: Urgent Response Needed

Attn:
 
Before i proceed it is good for us to know ourselves, so I would like to welcome this relationship with a brief introduction of myself. I also want you to please respond back in like manner because it is important that I know in totality the person upon whom I transact this deal with. You should understand my fears here as this involves a large sum of money.
 
My proposal is very important to me, so please I want you to take the content of this mail very serious. All I want is an honest business transaction between us. First of all, I will start by introducing myself.
 
My name is Paul Mertz I am a Staff of one of the leading Banks here in United Kingdom. I have a business deal for you which involve £10,000,000 GBP (Ten Million British Pounds) that i discovered when carrying out auditing of accounts in my department.
 
However, if you can permit me I will use your Information as the beneficiary of the fund if you are willing and ready to co-operate with me.
 
I await your response to enable me furnish you with more detailed information.
 
Best Regards,
Paul Mertz.

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