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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: Anthony Hopkins <support@mecard.co>
Reply-To: barr-anthonyhopkins@outlook.com
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2023 00:22:43 +0000
Subject: Good Business Proposal


I Am Anthony Hopkins, Senior Legal Representative of the Standard Chartered Bank New York Branch located here in United States

I have been in search of someone with this last name of my client so when i saw you online, I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other.

I believe it is the wish of Almighty God for me to come across you now. I have an important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you, because it is in connection with your last name and you are going to benefit hugely from it.

My client Late Mr. Carl who was a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit account with my bank in 2010 for 120 calendar months, valued at US$20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million United State Dollars) and the due date for this deposit contract is 2nd of January 2020. Sadly he was among the dead victims in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan that killed over 15,000 people. Mr. Carl was my friend and i am also his account officer. Below is a link of the disastrous effect of the earthquake.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Tōhoku_earthqu ake_and_tsunami

Mr Carl did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and he was not married and no children. Last week my Bank Management requested that Mr. Carl should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if he'd like to renew the contract. I knew this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happens to know that Carl is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the funds for their personal use, so I don't want such to happen.

That was why when I saw your last name I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, since you have the same last name with him and my bank head quarters will release the account to you.

There is no risk involved for you; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law.

It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors to take it, they are all very rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the funds equal, 50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to start my own charity foundation which has always been my dream. If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology. I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this matter extraordinary confidential, whatever your decision, while I await your prompt response.


Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response strictly through my personal Email. Please contact me at once to indicate your interest as soon as possible via my private EMAIL :( barr-anthonyhopkins@outlook.com)and treat this information with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.

I look forward to your quick reply.


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