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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: "Anderson Baker" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <privatemailbox206@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2010 16:09:47 +0100
Subject: Anticipating your reply to this mail

Dear,

I am Mr Anderson Baker an auditor with a bank in United Kingdom. One of our accounts, with holding balance of 10,000 000.00 (Ten Million pounds Sterling) has been dormant and last operated many years ago. Nobody has done anything as regards the claiming of this money. This is because the account owner has no family member or friends that are traceable. I have tried to locate the relations but without success and that is why I decided to find a reliable foreign partner to move the money with.

My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the Next of kin and beneficiary of this late client, So that the proceeds of this account shall be paid to you, and then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed percentage.
This transaction is totally free of risk and troubles as the fund is legitimate and does not originate from drug, money laundry, terrorism or any other illegal act. The funds will be released to you after necessary processes have been followed. Let me hear from you as soon as you get this message, so we can proceed.

I anticipate your cooperation and utmost confidence. Awaiting your reply stating your willingness.

Regards,

Anderson Baker

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