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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: "Mr. Eduardo Perez" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nhaggin1@e-mail.ua>
Date: Sat, 14 Dec 2013 18:11:47 -0800
Subject: GOOD DAY TO YOU

Good Day,
 
I am Mr. Eduardo Perez, I am the Manager in the Department of Accounts  Division, Ciaxa Bank Spain, On  December 30th 2002, one of our esteemed clients Mr. Andrew ,  made a
numbered time Fixed) Deposit, for twelve calendar months in my  Bank branch. Upon maturity, we sent a usual notice to his forwarding  address but got no answer. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally  we discovered from his pact employees he was aboard the, Boeing 727  Beirut-bound charter Jet which crashed in Benin Republic during takeoff on  December 26th 2003.
 
www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/
 
On additional inquisition, the Bank discovered that he died without making a WILL and all efforts made to locate any of his extended relatives proved  fruitless. On further inquest, it was discovered that Late Mr. Andrew did  not state any next of kin in all his certified documents, as well as his  Certificate of Deposit here at the Bank. The total sum is US$11.3M still in
my bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at  the end of each year. No one would ever come onward to claim this money.
 
 
In accordance with the Federal Banking Governing Body and Constitution, the account would be declared fallow and the proceeds would be revert to the possession of my Government if nobody applies as the beneficiary to the funds.As a result, I shall install you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of  kin to this deceased, since you have matching last name with the deceased,  so that the proceeds of this account could be released to you, for us to share. Upon your acceptance of this proposition, I shall give you  comprehensive information on how this venture would be accomplished  without any hitch. Moreover, we shall employ the services of a notary here  for the purpose of procuring a letter of probate and to obtain all other  pertinent documents in your name for the requisite documentation for  immediate payment approval in my bank.
 
The money would be shared in the ratio of: Fifty percent for me, forty  five percent for you and five percent for any arising contingencies during  the course of this transaction. I pledged that this venture would be  accomplished under a justifiable pact that will protect you from any legal  trouble and I will exert my significant influence in the bank to secure 
approvals and guarantee the successful completing of this transaction. 
 
Please be informed that your extreme discretion is required. If this  proposition interests you, kindly reply me directly by email and indicate  your readiness and willingness to finalize this transaction with him. 
 
 
Equally email me with your full name, your address, year of birth, your  contact telephone and fax numbers respectively.
 
Upon receipt of your positive response with the requested information, I  will draft an Application letter you will endorse and send it officially  to my Bank for them Administrative Processing and Approval in your favor.
 
Thanks as I look forward to your timely and positive reply.
 
Respectfully yours
 
Mr. Eduardo Perez

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