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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: "Mahmoud Hadi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mh4284676@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2017 14:34:46 -0800
Subject: Re: Hello

Hello Dear,
 
I have been in search of someone with similar surname as yours, so when I
saw you online, I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist
each other. I am Mr. Mahmoud Hadi, a Bank Officer here in U.A.E. I believe
it is a great opportunity for me to come across you now. I am having an
important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will
interest you, because it is in connection with your last name and you are
going to benefit from it.
 
One Late Mr. Yong, a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with my
bank in 2009 for 60 calendar months, valued at US$10,100,000.00 (Ten
Million, One Hundred Thousand US Dollars) the due date for this deposit
contract was 22nd of March 2014. Sadly Michael was among the death victims
in Earthquake disaster that occurred in the off coast of central Chile on
Saturday, 27 February 2010 that killed over 800 people. He was in Chile on a
business trip and that was how he met his end. My bank management is yet to
know about his death, I knew about it because he was my friend and I am his
account officer. Michael did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the
account was opened, and he was not married and no children.
 
Last week my Bank Management requested that Yong should give instructions on
what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract. I know this will
happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the
situation, because if my Bank Directors happen to know that Michael is dead
and do not have any Heir, they will declare the fund as unclaimed and
confiscate/divert the funds for their selfish/personal use, so I don't want
such to happen. That was why when I saw your last name, I was happy and I am
now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the
account, since you have the same last surname with him and my bank head
quarters will release the funds to you after proper verification. There is
no risk involved, this transaction will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. It is better
that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors and their corrupt
collaborators from the governme nt to take it, they are rich alre
 
I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the funds equal,
50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to start my own company
which has been my dream and we can partner in your country and I also intend
helping the less privilege and the poor in society. Let me know your mind on
this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET. We shall go over
the details once I receive your urgent response strictly through my personal
email address: (mh4284676@gmail.com ).
We can as well discuss this on phone but under very careful plan; let me
know when you will be available. Have a nice day and God bless. Anticipating
your communication.
 
Best Regards,
Mr. Mahmoud Hadi

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