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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: "Abigail Owen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info@bigideasconsultants.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2022 19:39:57 -0700
Subject: Notice

Good day,
 
 
 
How are you? In about Oct. 2009, a client of mine (Uwe Herbert) made some fixed deposits amounting to $82,780,000,820.00 USD with a Bank here in my country. Unfortunately, Mr. Uwe Herbert died after a brief illness as an effect of Lung Cancer on the 15th May 2016. I humbly apologize for the means through which you are being contacted about this. My name is Abigail Owen Esq., a legal representative to the deceased. The late Uwe Herbert, who hereinafter shall be referred to as my client died leaving the said deposit unclaimed.
 
 
 
I wish to plead for your assistance in securing the said funds to avoid confiscation by the Central Bank. The bank has issued a third time Legal Notification Letter to contact and provide the Next-of-Kin to these funds otherwise have the funds confiscated and converted into the central bank Government Treasury.
 
 
 
My proposition is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin or heir of the funds. Hence, you have related information with the late Uwe Herbert, the proceeds of this account can possibly be paid to you, thereafter, we could share the amount on a mutually agreed percentage. All legal documents to back up your claim as my late client's next of kin will be gradually provided.
 
 
 
All I require is your honest and sincere co-operation to see this transaction through. This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will secure you and myself from any breach of law. If this business proposition offends your moral values, please do accept my apology. I must use this occasion to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this matter absolute secrecy whatever your decision, while I await your prompt response. Please contact me at once to indicate your interest and more details shall be provided.
 
 
Note: This transaction will be treated personally with absolute discretion and sincerity. Meanwhile, the transaction is a secret and confidential deal between both of us as third parties must not be involved for a successful and perfect completion.
 
 
 
Best Regards,
Abigail Owen Esq.

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