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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: "Abdul K. Rahim" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cdldxx2020@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2017 14:14:43 -0000
Subject: RE: Respond Immediately

 
Hello My Dear
I know it will take you by surprise to receive this Email from me.
I was pushed to contact you to see how best we can assist each other My name is Mr. Abdul K. Rahim, I'm writing on behalf of my late client Mr.William Go Kim Huy I believe it is the wish of God for me to come across you I am having an important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you and you are going to benefit from it.
My Late client, Mr. William Go Kim Huy a citizen of Philippines he had a fixed deposit with Standard Chartered Bank Ltd in 2010, valued at ($9,720,000.00) Nine million seven hundred and twenty thousand united state dollars  After his death the bank contacted me to provide his Next of kin to inherit his fortune according to the policy in such circumstances and he did not mention any Next of Kin heir when the account was opened I have written several letters to the embassy to locate any of his extended family who should be the beneficiary and my effort has been fruitless. The board of directors just adopted a resolution and I am given an ultimatum of 30 working days to provide his next of kin or the funds will be fortified by the bank.
So I don’t want such to happen.
That was why I contacted you and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as the Next of Kin to the account and my bank head quarters will release the account to you. There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law.
I am suggesting we share the funds equal, 50/50% to both parties, Let me know your mind on this and we shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response.
Regards
Mr. Abdul K. Rahim

Anti-fraud resources: