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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "is 100% risk-free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: MARK ALEXSON <markalex@unionplus.net>
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2006 03:37:36 +0100
Subject: ENGR. REED IS DEAD, PLEASE HELP

Dear Friend,

I am Mark Alexson, I Work with the Nicon Insurance Nigeria,Foreign Payment Department,I know this letter might come to you as a surprise,but i want you to take it like your own deal.

Engr. Siawosh Reed a national of poland but based in Nigeria, executed contract through Federal Ministry of Works & Housing here in Nigeria,the contract worth of (US$35.5Million) but died before the process of transferring the money.

Meanwhile, his money has been asigned to be paid through my office before I will give order to the final endorsement of his money. Nobody knows what is going on except you and I, All vital documentation to legally back you on claiming this fund would be secured and sent to you based on your coperation, You will have to act as the beneficiary of this fund, Since I have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased so as to transfer this money into your account valued at US$35.5Million Dollars can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money according to the agreed proprtion after transfered into your bank account. I will send to you the whole relevant information that required in this transaction immediately you accept to co-operate with me.

Please note, the reason why i request the both of us to get on this action is that the fund could get constificated and claimed by the nigerian goverment since this late client left no successor as his next of kin, and i personally would not want to see that happen, after years of solid hardwork of this fellow.

Therefore, I would need the following in your response:
1. Your Full Names
2. Residential Address.
3. Personal/Direct Phone and Fax No.

Immediately without hesitation, I have decided to give you US$10M of this money for your favourable and kind assistance, While i keep US$25.5M.

I am also assuring you that this is 100% risk-free,as there would be a legal practitioner whom would secure the documents on your behalf from the High Court and legally notorise the documents/paperwork under your name.

Kindly give me an urgent letter of intent indicating you are ready to execute this deal but based on TRUST as you know this is for our Mutual benefits both now and in the nearest future ahead.

I await your response to take up this with effect at once.

Yours Truely,
Mark Alexson.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam