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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: Eric Anderson <andersoneric1100@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: Eric Anderson <andericsoner@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 17:08:11 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: PROPOSAL...


 Hello My Dear Friend,
 
I request for your quick help in this {DEAL} that will benefit both of us without any risk Involved either now or later. I am Eric Anderson, 53 years of age from London and a Chief Auditor in the International Remittance Department (IRD) in London  I have an amount in Excess of Eighteen Million Pounds (£18,000.000.00) only, which has been lying, in our suspense escrow account for safekeeping.
 
For over 10years plus now unclaimed belonging to a "dead customer" Mr.  John Paul Getty from United States of America who died on Apr. 17, 2003 after a brief illness in London Hospital(BBC News), Visit the web site below for confirmation; http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/uk/2956897.stm

It is only me and 2 other top Management staff knows about the money and if the money reaches NEXT 6years, it will Automatically move to the Bank Vault {Central Bank of United Kingdom} as "UNCLAIMED FUND".
 
All I need from you now is to present you to the Bank Management as the next of kin to the dead man and have the Bank pay you (Beneficiary) this money as your late Uncle's money which he left in our bank since you are a foreigner like him. We will be having a top management meeting in 5days time from now, hence you need to write me back soon so that I can instruct you what to do fast. So, if you are INTERESTED, kindly get back to me as quickly as possible to enable me make all the necessary arrangement towards how to present you to the bank as "truly next of kin" to the late man. It does not matter if you are from America or not.
 
I will secure all Documentations to back your claims and also as an insider, all the documents that the bank may require as proof from you, will be arranged from here which will be sent to you ASAP!  After the claim of this money by you through our assistance, you will take 40% of the total Sum and 5% to cover any cost of expenses which both will insure in this transaction and keep the rest 55% for me in the account I will forward to you later after the deal is done or will come to your place for sharing etc.
 
Please always write to me on my private email address: {andericsoner@yahoo.com} for effective communication b/w us. Furthermore, Pals indicate your options towards assisting me as I believe that this transaction would be concluded within six (6) days you signify your interest to assist me.

Thanks for your understanding.

Anticipating hearing from you urgently.
Best Regards,
Eric Anderson.

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