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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: "Mr. Christopher Townsend" <dralobeidiahmed@live.com>
Reply-To: <office213211@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 02:08:04 -0700
Subject: I wait for your reply

From The Desk Of Mr. Christopher Townsend.
Auditing Department HSBC
United Kingdom
 
 
Dear Friend,
 
 
My name is Mr. Christopher Townsend; I am the head of auditing and accounting section HSBC United Kingdom. With due respect and regard, I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end.
 
May I use this medium to inform you an amount of £4,640.000.00 Million British Pound will be approved and transfer in your account, fund that belonging to our bank deceased customer  who died along with his family  in plane crash.
 
 
I thereby contact you, to:
 
(1) Assist me in the transfer of the said fund into your account.
 
(2) Confirm your direct telephone and Fax for our communication.
 
 
I want you to stand as his next of kin to enable our bank transfer the money to your account as his next of kin with very prove I will provide to you, please indicating your interest I will furnish you with more information as soon I hear from you
 
 
I wait for your reply and call,
Mr. Christopher Townsend
+44-7924012188

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