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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Smithson Estate Administrators" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <smcfaden1956@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:31:14 -0700
Subject: Atten: Estate Beneficiary

Smithson Estate Administrators
London, England.
Tel: 08712513645

Attention: Estate Beneficiary
This is Mcfaden Smith, Estate Administrative attorney to a late client of your family decent, formerly a diamond & Precious stones merchant. My client who is now deceased, in his WILL left his inheritance worth millions in Pounds value to someone who bears same name as you.
We know this inheritance should be of interest and immense financial benefit to you and your family, thus in our position as the
Estate WILL administrators this is announcing your waiting inheritance claimable with us without any privacy breach or confidential disclosure.
Having waited for this inheritor to show up in our office for the asset handover as the rightful beneficiary after several years of Roland's demise, prior to this contact, thus leavingus with no option other than independently contacting you as name-sake of the next of kin to the inheritance and thus shall repose all ultimate heir-ship Benefits and Rights transfer to you in fulfillment of the Will.
At your declaration of interest, this Estate inheritance benefits and asset transfer shall be arranged in your favour as rightful beneficiary.
Sincerely,
Mcfaden Smith [Esq.]

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in this email and any attachments are intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or subject to protection under federal or state law.
If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any distribution or copying of this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify me and delete this message and any attachments immediately. You should not retain, copy or
use this email or any attachment for any purpose, nor disclose all or any part of the contents to any other person. Thank you.

Anti-fraud resources: