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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: "Wilford Attorneys"<chaoj014@gmail.com>
Reply-To: gregwilford23@onet.pl
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2019 19:42:44 +0200
Subject: Final Reminder

On behalf of the Trustees and Executors of the estate of Late Mr. Andrew Richard, I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter was returned undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you again by this same email address on the WILL.
I was made to understand that My Late client Mr. Andrew Richard met with someone who recommended you to him during his business trip before he died.
I wish to notify you that late Mr. Andrew Richard made you a beneficiary to his WILL. He left the sum of Ten Million Dollars (USD$10,000,000.00) to you in the codicil and last testament to his will.
Being a widely travelled man, he must have been in contact with someone who recommended you to him in the past or simply you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends abroad who wished you good.
Mr. Andrew Richard until his death was a member of the Helicopter Society and the Institute of Electronic & Electrical Engineers. He was a very dedicated Christian who loved to give out.
His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time. Late Mr. Andrew Richard died on the 16th day of February 2018 at the age of 71.
According to him this money is to support his Charitable activities (May his soul rest with the Lord) and to help the poor and needy.
Please if I reach you as I am hopeful, endeavour to get back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job. Please provide the required details.
Telephone, Age, Occupation and City to enable me process the fund to you.
Please email me on gregwilford23@onet.pl
Regards,
John Greg Wilford
+27717029542

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