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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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Fraud email example:

From: "Joseph C. Blank" <joecblank@tiscali.ch>
Reply-To: ccjosepblank@mailbox.co.za
Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2005 22:19:34 +0200
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL PROPOSAL



Sir/Madam,

However strange or surprising this contact might seem to you as we have
not met personally or had any dealings with you in the past. I must apologize
for intruding into your private email address, but I humbly ask that you
take due consideration of its importance and immense benefit it will be
to you.

I am a legal consultant/broker based in South Africa. I am currently representing
some members of the Independent Committee of Eminent Persons (ICEP), Switzerland.
(ICEP) is charged with the responsibility of finding bank accounts in Switzerland
belonging to non-Swiss indigenes, which have remained dormant since World
War II. For more information check: www.dormantaccounts.ch

A dormant account with the sum of Forty Five Million United States Dollars
($45M) as discovered by clients/close associates who are members of (ICEP).
The money included accumulated interest. They needed my assistance since
the transfer can be made easily with my supervision as an experienced broker.
My clients at (ICEP) have confided in me to look for a foreign partner that
will help in putting the funds into the banking system and also assist in
investing the funds into profitable business ventures for mutual benefits.

Since my clients at the (ICEP), Switzerland have mandated me to look for
a foreign partner and that is my aim for contacting you. Please do not despair
because I got your email address from a business advertising website on
the Internet before making my contact with you. I do not intend to fail
my client because I have been a very close associate and legal consultant
to them for the past 20 years.

Bear in mind that we also have well-established contacts at the Claims Resolution
Tribunal (CRT) responsible for handling processing of all claims on accounts
due to non-Swiss citizens. Whereas, uncomplicated claims will be processed
under a "fast track" procedure, which is the procedure, our claims will
be put on.

I have also made contacts with the Trust Company responsible for Dormant
Account Recovery (DAR) in the United Kingdom and also concluded final arrangements
with them to take over the funds by a new beneficiary legally. As an experienced
broker and working with top executive members of (ICEP) who are also my
close associates, I have all secret details and necessary contacts for claim
of the funds without any hitch.

We are willing to offer you as much as 20% of the entire funds and after
the transaction has been completed. There is no risk involved in this transaction
and all the process of the administrative claims will be legally achieved
to transfer the funds in your name as the new beneficiary.

In conclusion, if you are willing and ready to assist us claim the dormant
account smoothly, please indicate in your return reply mail and I will furnish
you with more details on how the transaction will be completed including
my contact telephone number so that you can call me for questions and clarifications
where necessary. We also look forward to doing more deals with you. Please
send your replies to: cjosepblank@mailbox.co.za



Warm regards,

Joseph C. Blank



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