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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: Patrick Hugate <frankwilliams615517@gmail.com>
Reply-To: patrickhugate830@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2021 00:37:23 -0800
Subject: URGENT

Hello Dear,


I write in good faith and trust that you will take a moment to
consider the content of this letter. I am Patrick Hugate, Head of
Internal Audits Lloyds Banking Group, London, UK.One of my Discrete
Official Duties is to look for relatives of Deceased Clients
(Depositors) without registered heir or next of kin and bring them
forward to receive their late relative's Estate. While working I
discovered the sum of US$12,300,000 (Twelve Million Three Hundred
Thousand United States Dollars) floating in an account opened in 1999,
which belongs to one Mr. K. P. bearing same last name with you,he died
in 2007. Every effort made to track any member of his family has since
failed because the deceased died leaving no heir or a will in his
file.My intention is to use my office to facilitate the transfer of
the above sum to a safe account overseas. I want to propose that you
partner with me and stand in as the next of kin since you share the
same last name with the Diseased. You will be required to provide an
existing account or set up a new account that will serve

the purpose of receiving this fund.The account has not been operated
since he died in 2007 and nobody has come forward to lay claims to it,
hence the funds have been floating. The information I have on this
account is confidential as no other person has access to it. If the
funds are not remitted urgently, it would be forfeited and
subsequently converted to company's funds which will benefit the
company’s shareholders only. With my assistance the fund will be
legally approved to you with all the necessary documents and approvals
in your name. However, we will work side by side to enable me guide
you on how to apply for the funds. As soon as I receive your response,
I will send you more detail. I completely trust you to keep this
information absolutely private because of my positionin the Office.
While replying, kindly forward a copy of this letter back to me email
for me to be sure you got my letter and provide your Private Telephone
and email contacts for easy communication. I look forward to your
prompt response.

Best Regards,

Patrick Hugate.
Lloyds Banking Group, London, UK
Private Emails: patrickhugate830@gmail.com

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