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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: "Dennis Martins" <d_martins_7@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: dmartins_01@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 10:58:25 -0500
Subject: M &J LAW FIRM(INHERITANCE)

M &J LAW FIRM,
MONOMARK HOUSE,
LONDON WC1N 3XX.

We act as solicitors and our services were retained by
late Henry Dawson, here in after referred to as our
client. On behalf of late Henry Dawson, We write to
notify you that my late client made you a Beneficiary
to the bequest sum of One Million, Three Hundred
Thousand Dollars in the codicil to his will and last
testament.

He died at the age of 80. This bequest is to support
your activities,
humanitarian services, help to the less-privileged and
research work. In accordance with our inheritance laws
you are required to apply for claims through this law
firm to an international Bank in United Kingdom, where
this fund was deposited.

We are perfecting arrangements to complete the
transfer of this inheritance to you. You are required
to forward the following details of yours; full
names,address, occupation, age and phone numbers for
verification and re-confirmation. Please acknowledge
the receipt of this letter immediately.

Congratulations!

Yours sincerely,
Dennis Martins Esq.

_________________________________________________________________
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