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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: "Mike Appleton" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mikeappleton2@bigmir.net>
Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2017 04:53:18 -0300
Subject: Hello

Hello,
 
I am Mike Appleton, Corporate Director at Maplecolt Holdings Limited; A Private Exclusive Equity, Financial & Security Institute in London, UK and the Account Officer and Personal Funds Manager to a Late Client. Coincidentally, my Client is a foreign national. He died along with his wife and only son while holidaying in Porto, Portugal and was flown back to England for burial. The banking policy can only allow for the release of such funds to a Benefactor through an application. During our investigations, we discovered that he was nominated by his son. The Embassy in the UK, could not trace any of the deceased relations. The account has been dormant for a long time. Therefore, we designate. With the consent of our Late Client's Solicitors, they will confirm you as the Next of kin; Sole Beneficiary to the deposit / funds. Once this is confirmed, the Bank will automatically make the transfer to you. After the transfer of funds to your favor, you will retain 60%, and 38% ours, 2% set aside for expenses both
 
Should case that you like to know more, do write back.Thanks
Mr. Mike Appleton

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