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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: Henry Coleman <henkolle7@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <henrykolle02@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:24:56 +0000
Subject: I need your thoughtful consideration.


Dear Friend,

I have not considered this medium to be the best manner to have approached you on this issue being that the internet has been greatly abused over the recent years and is very unsecured for informations of vital importance. I have decided to take the chance seeing that no other means could have been faster and more efficient than the E-mail.

My names are Mr. Henry Coleman and I am the director of foreign operations of my Bank. I have been in charge of this department for six years and to best of my knowledge have discharge my duty with equity. I had a foreign client who is deceased as at this time, but have assets still unclaimed with the bank.

In the process of review of the financial report by my department, I discovered that both of you have a similar last name, hence I contacted you so that I can give you further briefing on my intention and how to disburse the estate he left behind.

I will most welcome your prompt response as that would enable us to start something immediately.

Sincerely,

Henry Coleman.

_________________________________________________________________
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