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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: UNION ATTORNEY CHAMBERS <UNIONATTORNEYS@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:17:59 +0200
Subject: LEGAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED URGENTLY

Greetings,


I work with Union Attorney Chambers - London in the United Kingdom. I got your contact through Public Sector Information. There is a possibility that you may be related to my late client, a national from your country whom i owe a legal obligation.


If you are not, I may still be able to work out modalities for transferring his estates still under my custody and funds still deposited in a financial institution in your name as beneficiary so all heredity may be in your favor. If you can stand as beneficiary, I will pronounce you as the legal beneficiary and process change of ownership status to enable the funds and estates be transferred to your name; In this case, I will have to come into a direct arrangement and split the funds when released to you on a fifty-fifty basis.


The detailed total amount in deposit and estates cannot be stated in this mail until you will provide a more direct means of communicating by either fax or phone so we can be sure to go into the claims arrangement. I want to insist that I transact with you directly, so do provide your number and I shall call you immediately I receive your response and provide you with the details. I expect you to indicate your interest in going further.



I look forward to your quick reply.


Sincerely,

Best Regards.


Mr. ANDREW TARRANT



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