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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Paul Leed" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2021 17:39:48 -0500
Subject: Awaits your urgent response

I am Barrister  Paul Leed,  and the personal Attorney to (Mr    Halley)  who died Along with his entire family in a plane crash.    Mr Halley left the sum of  ($8,750,000.00 ) Eight  Million Seven    Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars in one of the security company in Europe.
 
 
I sincerely need your help because this might be my first and last    opportunity of hitting big money. I also would want you to treat this    affair as both urgent, top     secret and confidential.
 
NOTE: I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the    deceased, that the proceeds of this amount valued  ($8,750,000.00 )    Eight  Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand can be paid to you and
 
 
I guarantee you that this business will be executed under a legitimate    arrangement that will protect you and I from any breach of the law and    I want you to receive the Fund,which will enable me and my family to    come over to your country and buy a house to leave and invest the rest    of the money wisely.
 
 
You can copy the website and past to confirm.
 
http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/4537663.stm
 
Awaits your urgent response.
 
Paul Leed,

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