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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: WILL CLARK <willclark4004@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Apr 2011 12:38:01 +0100
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL LETTER


I want you to assist in a business venture involving £twenty-five million
Pounds ,£25,000,000,00.from a deceased customer (BANK OF SCOTLAND,LONDON) I
am seeking for a reliable person who will be capable to provide either an
existing bank account or set up a new or empty Bank account immediatelyto
receive this fund.

I am Mr Will Clark An accountant of Corporate (BANK OF SCOTLAND,LONDON)
,During the course of our auditing I discovered a floating fund in a
domiciliary account opened in this bank in 1997 and since 2000 nobody has
operated on this account, From my investigations and confirmation, i
discovered that the owner of the account who is a foreigner died without any
traceable next of kin hence the dormant nature of the account and if I do
not remit this money out urgently it will bere-channeled into the bank's
reserve.The management is ready to welcome any person a foreigner who has
corrects information of this account,which i will give to you immediately if
you are interested to conclude this transaction with me.

You will take 40% of the total amount If you can do the deal with me,
60%will be for me, therefore i want you to standing in as the next of kin
of from the deceased and the funds will be released to you after the
necessary processes have been followed.I look forward to your earliest
reply.

Mr Will Clark

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