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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: "Mr. Webster" <mrweba@live.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2010 06:02:25 +0100
Subject: URGENT TRANSFER......

Hello

I am Mr. Stephen Webster I am Executive Director in charge of Credit and Foreign bills in Bank of Scotland (UK) PLC. , 11 Earl Grey Street Edinburgh EH3 9BN. I am in search of an agent to assist us in the transfer of 15,000,000.00 GBP (Fifteen Million pounds Sterling) and subsequent investment in properties in your country.

You will be required to:-

(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.

If you are willing to assist us in the transaction, your share of the sum will be 50% of the 15,000,000.00 GB, 50% for us. I will be pleased as soon as you indicate your interest by indicating your confidential phone in your positive response, to furnish you with further information on the procedures and modalities on how funds will be transferred or made available to you.

I await your immediate response.

Yours Sincerely
Mr. Steven Webster

Bank of Scotland Plc.
11 Earl Grey Street
Edinburgh EH3 9BN.
United Kingdom


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