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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: Mark Minta <markminta@naver.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2021 22:06:22 +0100
Subject: Just For Your Consideration



--
My name is Mr. Mark Minta and I'm a banker. I am soliciting for your
urgent reply
to assist me in claiming a deceased customer's funds as the next of kin
since you bear the same surname (last name) with the deceased, though
I was the account officer to the deceased before he died.

Meanwhile, the funds involved is USD$18.4 million, the deceased person
contracted corona virus in December 2019 while in China with the family
on vacation died after a month and three weeks later the entire family
passed away, leaving behind no one to stand as next of kin, since then I
have made all efforts to locate any family member but to no avail.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to contact you
since you bear the same surname. I have some related documents in my
possession as the account officer to back up your claim as the next of
kin.

Please I await your careful response to enable me detail you the way
forward. Again, I want you to be discreet about this for the safety of
my good office/position.

Regards,

Mr. Mark Minta

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