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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: "Dr.Maria" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drmariaezeh@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2019 04:40:31 +0800
Subject: NL: Your urgent response to proceed as finalized

I am compelled to write you this email  for reasons of great business importance. I Agent with EM  Solicitors and personal attorney & adviser to your late relative Mr.Mark, who left some large amount of money (2.5MUSD)  with the bank here before his death in 2012.
 
As his personal attorney & adviser, I have made several inquiries as directed by the bank  with a view to locate you so as to present you as the Next  of Kin and beneficiary and of course claim his entitlement. hence I contacted you so that the process of claim of the  fund deposited can be handed over to you.
 
Please note that the fund shall be  divided 50/50 between you and I,once it gets into your  account according to my plan,Your earliest response to this email will be highly appreciated.
 
Px
 
Regards
Dr. Maria Ezeh

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