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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: "Frank Carbajal" <frank@carbajal.com>
Reply-To: frank.carbajal@qq.com
Date: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 07:17:26 -0400
Subject: Lucrative Offer !

To whom it may concern

I do realize this is not the most appropriate form of initiating a business proposal, but with much to gain and little too loose, it was hard not to proceed. This is why I would need you bear with me for not using my company's letter heading to contact you, as it's a proposed personal and confidential project between the both of us. Have you ever wondered what happens to unclaimed lottery prizes?

My name is Frank Carbajal an accountant by profession working for the Zanox group an affiliate of the National lottery. My firm is tasked with the responsibility of dispersing unclaimed lottery winnings, and my job involves the preparation and approval of prize ledgers to our lottery winners.

My Father was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and enormous costs and hospital expenses are mainly the reasons behind my action as I am not one who usually indulges in such. Every year millions of dollars remain unclaimed with us, and all I seek now is someone trustworthy who I can work with on this. All claims will be split fairly and equitably. All preparations and modalities for a smooth outcome are in place, what I seek now is your honest cooperation and to keep this as confidential as possible to enable a higher success rate.

As you might be aware lottery rules and regulations forbid employees and their family members in participating in draws, which is why I am writing you regarding this issue. I seek the consent of a willing partner who I can present as a lucky winner to lay claim to one of the various unclaimed prizes pending with us.

My proposal is quite simple and easily verifiable. If interested in working together with me, kindly indicate and I will provide you more information and detailed explanation on the project, outlining the steps required to lay claim to these prizes.

Regards,

Mr. Frank Carbajal

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