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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: J COLE <j_cole022@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:45:13 +0000
Subject: Attention



This is for your attention:
We wish to notify you once again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total sum of £4,600,000.00GBP (Four million Six Hundred Thousand British Pounds Sterling) in the intent of the deceased (name now withheld since this is our second letter to you).We contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore we can present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance since there is no written will. Our legal services aim to provide our private clients with a complete service. We are happy to prepare wills, set-up and administer Trusts, carry out the administration of estates and prepare and administer powers of attorney.
The necessary documents shall be processed in your favour.In your acceptance of this deal, we request that you kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance, your current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable us file necessary documents at ourhigh court probate division for the release of this sum of money.
Congratulations. Yours faithfully,
JONATHAN COLE

Note: Further correspondence should be directed tothis email address:colejonath1@gmail.com

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