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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: "Mr. Nelson" <jensen@skyfitness.com.sg>
Date: Tue, 06 Oct 2015 12:48:23 +0000
Subject: HELLO


Hello,

I am writing following an opportunity in my office that will be of
immense benefit to both of us. I am Mr. Nelson Craig McKenzie,
manager/account official, Barclays Personal Investment banking; in my
bank we discovered an abandoned large sum of money US$16.7M belonging
to one of our Foreign Client, a national of your country, a
professional businessman. He passes away Seven years ago in an
accident alongside with his family, the entire family lost their life
(NOTE: NAMES WITHHELD DUE TO SECURITY REASONS) as soon as I have your
confidential, I will provide you the full name and details. Nobody to
claim the fund left behind, no beneficiary, nobody knew about it.

Since then I have made several enquiries here to locate any of my
clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After
these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to search through with
his last name (SURNAME) which motivated me to contact you, to locate
any member of his family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you
to assist in repatriating the huge fund left behind by my late client
before it gets confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank. If
it continues to float in the account the government will eventually
confiscate it since no beneficiary, nobody to claims the funds. The
Bank managements have informed me (as my late client's personal
banker/accountant/broker) a notice to provide the next of kin or have
his account confiscated within the next Six month.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over two
years now, I seek the consent to present you as the next of kin to the
deceased since you have the same last name (THE SAME SURNAME), so that
the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Therefore, on receipt
of your positive response or upon your assistance, I have agreed to
give to you forty percents, ten percents any charity organization and
then fifty percents for me. I have all necessary information and legal
documents needed to back you up for the claim.

If you are Interested, kindly provide me the follow as soon as
possible for more details and clarification.

* Your name, your phone, your cell/fax, your date of birth, and your
occupation *

All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see
this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Note: if you cannot assist, kindly delete this email in view of the
confidentiality and let me know as soon as possible to enable me look
for capable one.

Thank you for your understanding, I hope to hear from you as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,
Mr. Nelson Craig McKenzie
nelsoncraigmc@aol.com


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