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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. Dinesh Sharma" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <offi6696@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 May 2017 13:49:01 -0700
Subject: Your Urgent Response IS Needed.

Dear Friend,
 
Let me start by introducing myself, My name is Dinesh Sharma I am a banker working with CITI BANK (DIFC) here in Dubai, U.A.E I write to contact you over a very important business transaction which will be of our interest and benefit to our both families.In 2011,one Mr. Bassen C. Han, whose surname is same as yours and has your country in his file as his place of origin, made a fixed deposit for 36 months, valued at $32,700,000.00 with my bank.
 
I was his account officer before I rose to the position of Managing Director. The maturity date for this deposit contract was 22nd of August 2014. Sadly Mr. Bassen was among the death victims in the January 1, 2012 earthquake in Izu Islands, Japan that killed many people while he was there on business trip. Since the First quarter of 2013 until today, the management of my bank has been finding means to reach him so as ascertain if he will roll over the Deposit or have the contract sum withdrawn. When I discovered that this will happen, I have tried to think up a procedure to preserve this fund and use the proceeds for business.Some directors here have been trying to find out from me the information about this account and the owner, but I have kept it closed because,I know that if they become aware that Mr. Bassen is late, they will take the funds for themselves. Therefore, am seeking your co-operation to present you as the one to benefit from his fund at his death since you h ave the same surname name, so tha
 
I have done enough inside bank arrangement and you only have to put in your details into the information network in the bank computers and reflect you as his next of kin.If you concur with this proposal, I intend for you to retain 50% of the funds while 50% shall be for me. I will send you the details of the transaction as soon as I receive your response.
 
 
Mr. Dinesh Sharma
Citi bank of Dubai(DIFC)

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