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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: "Barr. Umar Uwais" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barr.umaruwais@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:30:36 +0100
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF CLAIM.

BARR.UMAR UWAIS & CO.
SOLICITORS, NOTARIES, PUBLIC & ARBITRATRORS
2ND FLOOR,MARBLE HOUSE
1,ALFRED REWANE ROAD,
FALOMO IKOYI, S/W LAGOS.


ATTN: Sir/Madam,

NOTIFICATION OF CLAIM.

This letter is not intended to cause any embarrassment in whateverform,rather it is intended to contact your esteemed self, following the knowledge of your high repute and trust worthiness. Firstly,I must solicit your confidentiality.

I am Umar Uwais Esq, the personal attorney to Mr. Allan J. Taeubel, herein referred to as my client, a national of your country, who used to work with National Oil Plc. My client and his entire family were involved in a fatal motor accident,which unfortunately claimed their lives, sparing none of the occupants of the vehicle.

I have since made several enquiries to Embassies, in a bid to locate any relation of my client, and these efforts of mine have not been productive. I then decided to trace his last name over the internet, and came across your name which is why I have contacted you to assist me in securing the money and property left behind by my client before they are declared as unclaimed and unserviceable by the bank where they have been lodged for safekeeping because you'll hence be the sole beneficiary/next of kin to my late client because you're liable to the claim, and going by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act (No.11 of 1988) which states that when a person dies out of estate, that is without a will, his personal attorney that is me is hereby required to come up with a beneficiary with the power/mandate vested on me from the Federal High Court here within.


I am particularly interested in securing the funds lodged with Finance Firm,The sum of USD7.5M Dollars.This is because the said Bank has issued a notice to me, unequivocally instructing me to produce the Next of kin/Beneficiary to the said account within the next ten official working days, or have the account confiscated. Considering my lack of success in my bid to locate his relatives for over two years,I solicit your consent to enable me produce you as the next of kin to the deceased , since you both bear the same last name. The funds will then be transferred to you as the beneficiary and shared according to a proposed sharing pattern /ratio of 60:40 i.e. 60% for me and 40% for you.

I will provide the necessary, legally obtained documents to back up any claim we make regarding this process, and will just require your understanding/ cooperation to enable us achieve success within a legitimate arrangement, eliminating any liability resulting from any breach of the prevalent laws. Your urgent response will be highly appreciated. My direct contacts have been provided above, use same accordingly for effective communication.Thank you.

Best regards,
UMAR UWAIS ESQ.

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