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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. Scott Rietz" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <scottrietz001@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2017 13:48:48 +0100
Subject: Urgent And Confidential

Blick Rothenberg LLP
16 Great Mandela Street
Covent Garden. Cape Town
South Africa .
 
 
 
It gives me a great deal of pleasure to write you this mail even when it might come to you as a surprise. I hope you find it of interest.
 
My name is Mr. Scott Rietz . Chief accountant of account department of our Bank in South Africa . I would like to use this means to ask your assistance in moving the funds $23.5million over to your country.
 
I have in the course of my duties come in contact with some funds that have been inactive for some years now and careful investigation proved the original depositor of the funds died more than years ago.
 
All attempts to reach the suppose beneficiary of the deposit were fruitless and before it is forfeited to the state Government, I will like to move the funds outside the country now and this is were I need your assistance.
 
According to laws of the land, all unattended deposit beyond six years will be forfeited to the state Government, hence my contacting you.
 
I look forward to hearing from you and my gratitude for your patience.
 
Regards,
 
Mr.Scott Rietz
 
 

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