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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 Laurence Thomas" <info@live.com>
Reply-To: thomas.laurence2016@yandex.com
Date: Sat, 10 Sep 2016 16:43:46 -0400
Subject: Re: Global Project

Dear Friend,

I hope this mail gets to you in the best frame of mind. I am sorry if I am intruding into your privacy by contacting you through this means. I actually got your email from your country's web email-directory. I do hope you listen with your heart as you read through my "Letter". I have been directed by the spirit of humanity to you hoping you will be fair enough to respond to this task that I shall be putting forward to you. As you rightly know, our today's world is governed by greed, wickedness, hostility and hatred. People no longer feel safe dealing with close friends, relatives, neighbors and loved ones as trust are often betrayed by people you least expected.

I am Mr. Laurence M. Thomas from the United Kingdom but I am now undergoing medical treatment for Lung cancer in doctor's hospital in the Bahamas and the doctors confirmed I have few months left to live. I was married without a child and my wife died after a brief illness in 2009. I am blessed by God with Millions of Dollars, Shares and Properties. I need you to help me do this in good faith, as I have entrusted you in this endeavor. I do not fancy racial discrimination and am not a religious fanatic so if you are one of those that thinks his or her religion or race is superior to that of other persons; please do me the favor of not replying this mail. I have learned not to view life from one perspective because life itself is very unpredictable. My reason for contacting you is to combine our ideas and dedication to touch the lives of the less-privilege in some part of the world. Somehow, since the doctor had confirmed my situation that I will not live long, I have decided to give out my wealth/money to the poor. I have a cash Deposit sum of Fifty Million United States Dollars with a financial Security Company in the United Kingdom. You will get 30% as your commission if interested. I will want to help the less privilege with your help by building an orphanage homes in my name for the less privilege babes and making donations to several charities around the world. I now feel safer dealing with strangers than people I know due to constant betrayals I have received from loved ones and family members.

To begin this process, kindly send me your Full names, Full address, date of birth, Telephone, Fax number, Occupation and also any form of ID. As soon as I have them, I will forward same to my attorney. With this information's my Attorney will get the needed legal documents ready without delay and lodge same with the probate registry of the High Court in the United Kingdom. After due confirmation the probate would now release your letter of administration for claims to my estate funds. This document as well as the Certificate of Fund Deposit issued by the Security Company when the fund was deposited will be release to you. This will give you the legal right to receive my funds. This is very legal hence we are going to observe all legalities. On completion of the documentation process with my attorney, you will assume the position of Signatory Heir of me (MR. LAURENCE M. THOMAS).

If you are really ready, competent and capable in all terms for this project, please let me know so I advice you further on this project. Please know my cause is legal and not fraudulent. I have never been part of anything illegal in my life and I will never do that in this short time left on earth.

Thanks and God bless you.

Regards,
Mr. Laurence M. Thomas
16 Beech Grove,
Bath BA2 2HL
United Kingdom

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