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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: "Barrister Olu Thomas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barroluthomas@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 12:42:10 +0100
Subject: Important Information......We will do this Together

Dear Friend,
 
I presume this letter will come to you as a surprise, but as things unfold,we will know each other better. I will start by introducing  myself to you. My name is Barrister Olu Thomas a solicitor at law.
 
I am writing in respect of a foreigner Mr.David Frenchman, who happens to be my client an oil merchant and contractor who perished in a plane crash of [EGYPTIAN CHARTER] with other passengers aboard on Red Sea early on January 3 2004,shortly after taking off from the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, killing all the 135 passengers and 13 crew members aboard asyou confirm it on the website below:
 
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200401/04/eng20040104_131791.shtml
 
Since the demise of my client  I personally have watched with keen interest to see the next of kin but all has proved abortive as no one has come to claim his funds of US$36.5m (Thirty Six Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollar) the  bank has no record of any next of  kin.On this note, I decided to seek for whom his name shall be used as his next of kin so I have contacted you to assist in repatriating most especially, the money left behind by my client before they get  confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where the huge deposits werelodged.
 
Particularly, Equity Development Bank of Nig , where the deceased had an account valued at about $36.5 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the Next of kin, or have the account confiscated.
 
I seek your consent to present you as the Next of kin of the deceased,I need somebody who is trustworthy and willing to assist me get the funds transfered. Whcih the account which my late client operate is valued at $36.5 million dollars can be paid to you, as my clients Next of Kin, and then we can share the amount on a mutual agreed percentage.
 
All legal documents to back up your claim as the deceased Next of Kin will  be provided. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate  arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law and you  should endeavor to keep it confidential.
 
Please get in touch with me at barroluthomas@att.net, to enable us discuss further about this transaction.
 
Best Regards,
Barr.Olu Thomas.

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