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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: "Ornstein Wallace" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.ornsteinw@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 6 May 2013 17:45:27 -0400
Subject: Re,I am seeking your consent to nominate you as a beneficiary

Hello

Having gone through your name on the internet, I wish to notify you that I am seeking your consent to nominate you as a beneficiary to the estate of my late client (who had the same surname with you) My name is Wallace Ornstein Representing Farrer & Co, a Legal Firm in UK. The value of the estate including insurance entitlements to be paid is $ 12.000.000.00.Million Dollars Twelve Million Dollars) in the intent of the deceased. (Twelve Million Dollars) has just been brought to our attention )

Upon our mutual agreement between me and you I Will present you to The Probate as the new BENEFICIARY to the Inheritance since there is no written WILL Note that we CAN do this because of the surname identity.

I will provide the necessary SERVICES so to secure the release of the money in your name as the next of kin to my late client from the Bank.All the papers will be processed in your name and upon your acceptance of this proposal; I will request that you kindly forward to us your letter of Acceptance and provide your Current, Telephone number. 2, your full complete name, Address and a forwarding address To enable me file necessary Documents at our high COURT probate Division for the release of this sum of money.

Note that this is a high priority Project and should be TREATED as such. All you have to be to send THOSE information that is REQUIRED of you so that you will be entitled to a partnership status if I am able to reach Terms with you.

Yours faithfully,
Ornstein Wallace

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