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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: NATWEST BANK LONDON <davgreen@contactdepartment.biz>
Reply-To: drdavidgreen44@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:22:41 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Attn: From Dr. David Green


Dear Friend,
My name is Dr. David Green Manager Accounting Audit Department of a Bank from Harlsden, North West London, here in England (Nat west Bank London) I am writing you about a business proposal that will be of an immense benefit to both of us. 
In my department, being the manager Greater London Regional Office, I discovered the sum of £15 Million Pounds (Fifteen Million Pounds Sterling) in an account that belongs to one of our foreign customers Late Business Mogul Mr. Moises Saba Masri a billionaire from Jew from Mexico that was a victim of a helicopter crash early this year, killing him and family members, Moises Saba Masri was 47-years-old. Also in the chopper at the time of the crash was his wife, their son Avraham (Albert) and his daughter-in-law. The pilot was also killed in the crash. 
The choice of contacting you is aroused from the geographical nature of were you live, particularly due to the sensitivity of the transaction and the confidentiality herein. Now our bank has been waiting for any of the relatives to come-up for the claim this inheritance funds but nobody has done that, I personally have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin / Will Beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at (£15 Million Pounds) can be paid to you as the next of kin to late Mr. Moises Saba Masri.
This will be disbursed or shared in these percentages, 60% to me and 40% to you. I will start making arrangements to obtain all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up this claim we are making. All I need is to fill in your names into the documents and legalize it in the court here to prove you as the legitimate beneficiary. All I require now is your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and Trust to enable us see this transaction through to the end. I guarantee you that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law in your country.
Kindly provide me the following details as the transaction demands and we have 7 working days to run it through, This is very urgent and i need your sincere cooperation to execute this business transaction.
 
1. Your Full Name:
2. Your Telephone Number:
3. Direct Mobile Number:
4. Your Contact Address:
5. Occupation / Job Position:
6. Your Company Name:
7. Your Nationality:
Having gone through a methodical search, I decided to contact you hoping that you will find this proposal interesting, please on your confirmation of this message and indicating your interest will furnish you with more information. Endeavor to let me know your decision rather than keep me waiting.
Thanking you in anticipation and I expect you sincere response.

Regards,
Dr. David Green

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