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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: "Mr. lawrence sams" <lawrencesams.assoc010@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2016 01:50:14 -0400
Subject: my subject


LAWRENCE SAMS & ASSOCIATES SOLICITORS AND ADVOCATES 214/ GRE APPAPA LAGOS N=
IGERIA. POST CODE 23401 PRIVATE EMAIL: ( lawrencesams.assoc010@gmail.com) C=
omplements!!. firstly, I must apologize for barging into your mailbox witho=
ut a formal introduction of myself to you. Actually, I got your contact inf=
ormation from a reputable business/professional directory of your country w=
hich gives me assurance of your legibility as a person while trying to get =
a good and capable business person in your country for both business and in=
vestment purposes. Let me start by introducing myself; I am Barrister LAWRE=
NCE SAMS (Esq.) I was the Personal Attorney to late Mr. Morris Thompson an =
American who was a private businessman in my country unfortunately lost his=
life in the plane crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 which crashed on Jan=
uary 31st 2000, including his wife and only daughter. Before the plane cras=
h, Mr. Morris Thompson made a deposit value of US$ 20,000,000.00 (TWENTY MI=
LLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS) in the STANDARD TRUST BANK OF NIGERIA Upon matu=
rity several notice was sent to him, another notification was sent and stil=
l no response came from him. I later found out that Mr. Morris Thompson and=
his family had been killed in that plane crash. After further investigatio=
n it was also discovered that Mr. Morris Thompson=92s next of kin was his d=
aughter who died with him in the crash. What borders me most is that accord=
ing to the laws of my country at the expiration of 8 years the funds will r=
evert to the ownership of the NIGERIA GOVERNMENT, if nobody applies to clai=
m the funds. Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will lik=
e you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Mr. Morris Thompson so =
that you will be able to receive these funds for both of us. WHAT IS TO BE =
DONE? I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we =
shall come out successfully. As a barrister, I will prepare the necessary d=
ocument that will back you up as the next of kin to Mr. Morris Thompson. PL=
EASE YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE YOUR FULL INFORMATION SUCH AS STATED BELOW, [1] NA=
ME: [2] ADDRESS: [3] AGE: [4] SEX: [5] TELEPHONE: [6] FAX: [7] OCCUPATION S=
TATUS: Also be informed that this Transaction will take us just 15 working =
days to accomplish beginning from when I receive your Data=92s. After you h=
ave been made the next of kin, I will also file an application to the bank =
on your behalf as soon as I secure the necessary approval and letter of pro=
bate in your favor for the movement of the funds to an account that will be=
provided by you. This process is 100% risk free as I have set out all the =
modalities to see that a legalized method is used because then I will prepa=
re all the necessary documents. Please note that utmost secrecy and confide=
ntiality is required at all times during this transaction. Once the funds h=
ave been transferred into your nominated bank account we shall share in the=
ratio of 55% for me, 45% for you. I will prefer that you reach me via this=
email address: ( lawrencesams.assoc010@gmail.com) Your earliest response t=
o this offer will be appreciated Best Regards Barr. LAWRENCE SAMS=20

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