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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: "Maria Cristina Gamboa" <mariacritina123@live.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: mrsmariacristina84@live.com
Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 19:42:04 +0800 (PHT)
Subject: Good Day

Maria Cristina Gamboa
REGIONAL AUDITOR
HEAD OFFICE BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK .
12 ADB AVENUE, ORTIGAS CENTER, MANDALUYONG CITY
PHILIPPINES.

Good Day,
Let me start by introducing myself, I am MRS. Maria Cristina Gamboa,
REGIONAL AUDITOR OFFICER BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK. I am writing you
this letter based on the latest development at my bank, which I will
like to bring to your personal edification. I am a top official in
charge of client accounts in (EQUITABLE PCI BANK) which is now BANCO DE
ORO UNIVERSAL BANK inside the Philippines the merger was (2007) The
merger is part of a long-term goal of Banco de Oro to become one of the
largest names in the Philippine banking industry.
In 2001, my client was going through a horrendous divorce in the United
States of America and was on the verge of losing most of his estate to his
vicious and diabolical wife. As a result of this alarming predicament, my
client came to me with a very brilliant idea. He transferred some funds,
ten million two hundred thousand dollars ($10.2m) to a fixed deposit
account in my bank under an alias which only the two of us knew about as
the confidentiality of the matter was necessary for his protection.

Due to his untimely death in early 2002, the funds have been sitting in
the account ever since and will continue to do so perpetually unless we
do something about it. This is where you come in. I located you through
an agency that helps seek people by their email. My client did not
declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper work
of his bank deposit. Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is
that I would like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to our
client so that you will be able to receive his funds. I want you to
know that I have had everything planned out so that we can come out
successful. I have contacted an attorney that will prepare the
necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to my
client. All that is required from you at this stage is for you to
provide me with your Full Names and Address and telephone number so
that the attorney can commence his job.

The allocation of our money will be as follows: 40%($4.08m) to you for
your part in this, 60% for me. Again, I will be in charge of
everything else. I will assume all responsibilities for this endeavor
so you don't have to worry about any legal ramifications, just what you
will do with all that money. Your urgent response is highly anticipated
so please email me through this email address
(mrsmariacristina84@live.com) for more details on this transaction as
soon as possible.This should be kept very secret and confidential.
Hope to hear from you soon.

Kind Regards,
Maria Cristina Gamboa.






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