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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: "Attorney At Law." <Barrferrando@terra.es>
Reply-To: ferrandodejorgeluis@aol.es
Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:39:04 +0100
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST
 
Attention: Bequest Beneficiary,
 
Sequel to your non response of our earlier letter to you on behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Engr. Alfonso Gonzalez, I once again try to notify you as my earlier letterreturned undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you again by this same email address.
 
I wish to notify you that Late Engr. Alfonso Gonzalez made you a beneficiary in his WILL. He left the sum of Thirty Million, One Hundred Thousand Dollars (USD$30,100.000.00) to you in the Codicil and last testament to his WILL.
 
This may sound strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and true. Being a widely travelled man, he said he met you sometime in the past or simply you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends abroad who wished you good.
 
I am not too sure again Late Engr. Alfonso Gonzalez until his death was a member of the Helicopter Society and the Institute of Electronic & Electrical Engineers and a Spanish property magnate. He was a very dedicated christian who loved to give out alms to the poor,hungry and needy. His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time. Late Engr. Alfonso Gonzalez died on the 13th day of December,2007 at the age of 80 years, and his WILL is now ready for execution. According to him this money is to support your humanitarian/medical activities and to help the poor and the needy in our society.
 
Please if I reach you as I am hopeful, endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job. I hope to hear from you in no distant time. Note: You are advised to contact me with my personal email address below:
 
F .RODRIGUEZ M & ASOCIADOS.
MADRID, SPAIN.
Email: ferrandodejorgeluis@aol.es
           ferrandodejorge@terra.es
 
I await your prompt response and please keep this very discrete and to yourself until the transfer of the funds to you is finalised.
 
Regards,
 
Barr.Ferrando De M.J.Luis.
Attorney At Law

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