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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Lloyd T. Hardin, Jr" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info@kendelconstruction.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2020 08:06:17 -0000
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED!

Good day!
I am  Lloyd T. Hardin, Jr, a legal practitioner. I saw your contact and profile and decided that you could cooperate with me in this proposition. I have a client, who died as a result of heart-related condition on the 20th November, 2015. His heart condition was due to the death of all the members of his family in the Air Flight Crash.
 
I contacted you to assist in getting the funds left behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this deposit valued at $68.500,000.00 USD The bank has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated.
 
My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my late client, since both of you have similar details, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you thereafter we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon percentage of 50% to me and 50% to your kind self. All legal documents to back up your claim as my late client's next-of-kin will be provided. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.
 
This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this matter extraordinary confidential, whatever is your decision, while I await your prompt response. I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon as possible to indicate your interest.
Best Regards,
Lloyd T. Hardin, Jr
 

Anti-fraud resources: