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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: "Attorney Alexander Thomas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <siralexanderthomas@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2017 00:07:09 -0700
Subject: SECRETE INFORMATION TO YOU

Attn: Dear ,
 
 
 
I am Attorney Alexander Thomas from Alaska United States of America. I am the private attorney to my late client Mr. James  ,i need your assistance to represent my late client  over his deposited  fund valued at $12.5 Million United State Dollars and which he deposited with a bank before his death and the bank has contacted me to provide his extend family member or his fund will be confiscated, Since you bear the same last name with my late client, I want you to stand as his next of kin so that his bank can release this fund into your bank account and he is also a national of your country.
 
 
 
This transaction is 100% risk free and I will give you all the legal documents that will help us succeed in this business deal. Again, I want to promise you 40% of the total amount while 10% will be set aside to offset any expenses we will make. Please if you are interested to assist me then get back to me immediately on my email address and send me your telephone number so that i will call you to explain to you very well.
 
 
 
Thanks for your understanding.
 
 
 
Yours Sincerly
Attorney Alexander Thomas
For SKYLINE LAW FIRM

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