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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: "James West Ali" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jameswesta45@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2017 17:51:06 -0800
Subject: HELLO

From the Desk of:

Mr. James West Ali

I wish to seek your assistance for the transfer of US$40M depository made by a foreign investor for an investment

programme that has remained dormant for years now. I discovered that the account holder died without making a WILL on

the depository. and upon my further curious investigation, the deceased was a member of a government agency where huge

amounts were reportedly missing.

This money cannot be approved to a local bank account holder, but can only be approved to a foreigner. If you will stand

as next of kin to the fund, it will be shared 50%/50%, as this is a TWO-men business deal transaction.
I shall provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction. I need your

assistance and co-operation to this reality as I have done my Home-work and fine tune the best way to create you as the

beneficiary of the fund. My position as the branch manager of the bank will be used to advance this deal.

I will like you to provide immediately your full Names and Address, Date of Birth, Occupation, Tel & Fax Numbers so that

an Attorney will be able to prepare the necessary documents and affidavit which will put you in place as the next of

kin. The Attorney will draft and carry out the notarization of the WILL and also obtain the necessary documents and

letter of probate/administration in your favor for the claim.

I will appreciate your early reply for commencement of business. Contact me for acknowledgment by E-mail and whereby you

are not interested; please indicate in your reply so that I can seek for the assistance of someone else.

If this proposal is acceptable by you, I expect that you will not take undue advantage of the trust I will bestow upon

you. I await your urgent response. Do reply me thru this e-mail jameswesta45@gmail.com
I await your urgent response.

Thanks with great regards.

Mr. James West Ali

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