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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: "Barr. Donald Burris Esq." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <donaldburriss54@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2015 13:53:03 -0800
Subject: Dear Friend--

Dear Friend,
It is indeed my pleasure to write you this letter and I am deeply sorry for this unusual means of contacting you, but this particular letter is of exceptional value and very private in nature. I know that there is absolutely going to be a great doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this letter coupled with the fact that so many individuals have taken possession of the Internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business class persons to get attention and recognition through this medium, but it is my strong desire to write and reach out to you about this confidential deal based on great fidelity and trust.
My name is Barrister. Donald Burris, a British attorney at law; I am contacting you in respect of a business transaction that required your urgent attention. My client Engr. Felipe Gordon and his family died in a car accident on the 7th of August, 2003 and even till now, I have been unable to locate any of his relative. Before his death, he was an oil merchant and made a Deposit of FORTY EIGHT MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND BRITISH POUNDS (48,500,000.00 GBP) with a Bank. This fund was set to be used in setting up a GAS PLANT PROJECT IN ASIA.
The fund has remained unclaimed and the Bank will take over this fund if I do not present anyone to claim it urgently. I am seeking for your urgent assistance to stand as the Next of kin to the deceased and receive this fund into your account, as all documentations will be carefully worked out by me for the funds to be released in your favor as the sole beneficiary of the deposited fund. It may interest you to know that I have secured from the probate, an order of mandamus from the court to locate any of deceased families, please endeavor to furnishing me with your full contact information to enable me to file letter of claim to the appropriate departments for necessary approvals in your favor for the claim. I will provide all vital documents to legalize your status in the claim.
Please note that your share of the fund is 40% for you and 60% for me and the proceedings for the transfer has been perfected by me to protect you from any breach of the law and your involvement is 100% risk free. I believe that this is a fair deal. If this proposal is acceptable to you, Please contact me at once to indicate your interest on my email: donald.burris54@aol.com,  then I will now present you to the bank as the next of Kin to my late client.
I am waiting for your urgent reply.
Yours truly,
Barr. Donald Burris Esq.
London, United Kingdom
Tel:+447031901149
E-mail: donald.burris54@aol.com

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