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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: "Ng Ten Thoon" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 10 May 2012 10:02:22 +0100
Subject: please read.

Thursday, May 10 2012
ng_1@ng-tenthoon.com
Singapore.

I am Ng Ten Thoon,an employee of one of the biggest bank here in Singapore.
I want to use this opportunity to Offer you a business undertaking with a very high monetary gain and value, mutually beneficial to both parties if you are interested.
Please allow me give you a brief picture of what I have in mind.
In my position as safe deposit manager at my bank, I have become privy to a lot of unclaimed deposits and accounts and I have particularly monitored one of such accounts and can comfortably state that the account is there for us to convert to our personal usage, hence my email to you.
This is a very straight forward transaction and I would say the funds are at my disposal right now,if and only if you can pledge your concrete commitment to assist me convert this funds to our personal usage immediately,all I need from you is to stand as the original depositor and follow my instructions.
Please get this very clear, nobody knows about the existence of this money and if anything happens to me today the funds will revert to my Bank's or Singapore Government coffers, this is why we need to act now.
Please understand I am ready to share this money with you for your assistance, I do know that I have not given you a clear picture and amount involved, but when I get your reply I will be more revealing.
Your immediate response will be appreciated.

Best Regards

Ng Ten Thoon

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