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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: "Lehma BILA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lehmabila01@ovi.com>
Date: Sun, 6 Jul 2014 17:04:45 +0100
Subject: Attn: My Dear,

Attn: My Dear, I am accountant officer Fidelity Bank of Ghana Limited personal accountant officer of (Mr. Wing F. Chung), now deceased he lost his life alongside with his wife and only child on the 7th of July 2009 on a Motor Accident. Prior to his Death he made a fixed deposit of US$15,468,000.00(fifteen Million four hundred and sixty eight thousand united state dollars) in my bank. However, as the personal accountant and close confidant of late Mr. Wing F. Chung, I want you to know that My late Client died interstate, i.e, He died without leaving a Will. Hence, all my efforts to locate any of his relative whom I can present to our bank has proved abortive. Therefore I am seeking for your consent to present you as the deceased relative/next of kin and subsequently the beneficiary of the fund so that the proceed of this account valued at US$15,468,000.00 can be paid to you for subsequent disbursement between you and I . 60% for me, 35% for you and then 5% will be set aside for any expenses we might incure in the course of the transaction. If you can cooperate with me and receive this funds as next of kin to Mr. Wing F. Chung, confirm your interest by contacting me through my EMAIL. I can assure you that the deal is 100% risk free because i am in possession of the deceased personal file which contains all information which I shall use to prove your relationship with the deceased therefore the money will be paid into the account of whomever I present as Mr. Wing F. Chung Next of kin with proofs that you will present to the bank when needed. When I receive a positive response and after proper discussion with you, I will furnish you all relevant information that will facilitate the release of the Funds to you An Application will have to be filed to the security firm for processing of the release of the Funds into your nominated Bank account. Sincerely, Lehma BILA

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