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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: "Mr. Hans Peter Biland" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <office.report@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2011 19:30:06 -0700
Subject: Post fact 8098.......

WILLIAM ASSOCIATES
ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW & NOTARY PUBLIC
VIA MAISTRA 5
7500 ST. MORITZ, SWITZERLAND
CANTON: GRAUBUNDEN.
 
Dear Friend,
 
I write you this message under strict recommendation and in good
faith. I am sorry at the perceived confusion you may have receiving
by this letter from me since we have not met previously, To be
straight, I am a solicitor at law and the personal attorney to my
client whom i will refer to as  my client, who used to work with
defunct singer cement company here in Switzerland.
 
On the 5th of July 2004. It was reported to me that my client and his
family were involved in Car Accident at Zurich enroot Geneva all
occupants in the Car unfortunate lost their lives. With due sense of
responsibility, I don’t know how far you are related to my
client,because I have made enquires to his embassy to locate my client
extended relatives. This unfortunately has proved unsuccessful.
 
I seized this opportunity and decided to contact you for your help and
assistance in repatriating the money and property left over by my late
client, before it get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the
Security Company where this Huge deposits value Ten million
Dollars only with Post fact 8098 Zurich, Postal Account: 80-2-2.
The Security Company just recently issued me a notice to provide
the beneficiary next-of-kin of the deceased or they
will have known choice than to confiscate the account within the
shortest period of time.
 
On your immediate approval and acceptance to assist me in this
matter,i will inform you of what to do. All I require is your honest
co-operation to enable this deal through. I guarantee that this will be
executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect both of us
from any breach of the law to cover up your reputable name. Looking
forward to your urgent anticipation to this offer.
 
Thank you and my sincere regards to you and your family.
 
Barrister Charles Patterson (Esq).

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