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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: "Wessels" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <k.wessels8283@lawyer.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 00:56:00 +0100
Subject: From Wessel Kai

Good day,
 
I am Barrister Kai H. Wessels,  personal attorney of Mr. Bahar, (Snr), a national of your country, who used to work as a contractor in Chester, United Kingdom. Here in after shall be referred to as my client.
 
On 24 July 2006, my client involved in a car accident along Uttoxeter Rd while on his way from Chester to Nottingham, all occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have been in search of any of my clients extended relatives but to no avail. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to use the Chamber of Commerce to find his name and that is where I found your contact, I contacted you to assist in repatriating the fund valued at $ 9.1 million left behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Security Finance Firm (bank) where this huge amount was deposited.
 
The said Security Finance Company has given me a notice to provide the next of kin or the account confiscated within the next twenty one (21) official working days Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 5 years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you are of the same nationality with him so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. So after I receive your positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for the transfer. I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back up the claim.
 
All I need from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction goes through and for more information please respond.
 
Sincerely
 
Barrister Kai H. Wessels, PhD, LLB (Hons)
Law Offices of Kai H. Wessels
74 Preston Rd, MORDEN
SM4 4RF, UK

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