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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: "PETER B. LEWIS" <plewis610@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: peter-lewis20@live.com
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2020 15:32:01 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Message update

I am writing you this mail in respect of my late client that bears same last name with you this my late client died on motor accident whose relatives I cannot get in touch with because he did not put down any WILL and he came to this country when he was a little child.
I am compelled to do this because I would not want the bank to push my client’s funds into the bank treasury as unclaimed inheritance and the amount involved is $14.5 million dollars deposited with the bank security department for safe keeping.
He died without any registered next of kin and as such the funds now have an open beneficiary mandate. Fortunately, both of you have the same last name so it will be very easy to make you become his official next of kin. If you are interested you do let me know so that I can give you comprehensive details on what we are to do.
Please you should send your response to my private email address:(peter-lewis20@live.com)
Yours faithfully,
Barrister Peter B. Lewis

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