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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: "Mrs. Julian Evans" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <julianevans@consultant.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:46:06 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION PLEASE.

 
ATTENTION PLEASE.
ESTATE OF MRS. SANDRA FISHER.
I am very sorry to be the bearer of sad news but it is my duty as attorney/ legal representative for the estate of late MRS. SANDRA FISHER, to inform you that our client had passed on as a result of her cancer illness which she communicated to you sometime ago via email.
In going through her personal effects and the plethora of paperwork associated with her Last Will and Testament, we discovered that you were named as a beneficiary in her WILL by token of very recent amendments to the WILL document. The note that accompanies the Will addendum indicates that she were only in contact with you (via email) for a short period of time before her death.
How can we reach you after the WILL goes through probate to forward any bequeathment? To expedite this legacy bequeathment, we will need your contact address, personal telephone number and your full names. Once received, we will be back with you immediately.
Respectfully yours in service,
Barrister (Mrs.) Julian Evans
julianevans@consultant.com
For: EQUITY CHAMBERS.
Attorney for the Estate of the deceased.

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