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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: "Santander Private Bank" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2015 00:06:29 +0200
Subject: STRICTLY PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL ADDRESSEE



Dear Sir;

I am sending this letter to you following a dormant fund transfer that will be of mutual benefit to you and me. The amount involved is GBP 4, 000,000 (Four Million-Great Britain Pound). My name John Burton, I work as an accounting auditor for the treasury department - Santander Private Bank, 2 Triton Square, London NW1 3AN, United Kingdom.

I humbly seek your consent to present you as an entitled beneficiary or next-of-kin to be claimant of the dormant fund. Due to the confidentiality required, see the attached document and revert to me.

Kind Regards,

John Burton
--
CLIENT OPERATIONS
Business Banking Hours
Santander Private Bank N.A. Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender (c) 2015

Anti-fraud resources: