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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: "BARRISTER DESMOND GREG" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <chambers.lawyer@citromail.hu>
Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2022 05:16:46 -0700
Subject: BEST REGARDS

FROM THE DESK OF:
NICHOLAS & ASSOCIATES
Abbey Mill Business Centre,
12 Seedhill Rd,
Paisley PA1 1JS, UK

 
Dear Respectfully,
 
I am Barrister Greg Nicholas, a legal practitioner, I am the personal attorney to Mr Richard Stuart ,a national of your country, who used to work with Chevron Oil Limited in Nigeria. Sunday, October 23, 2005, my client,his wife and their three children were involved in a Plane crash with Bell-view airline in WEST AFRICA Nigeria. My client and his family unfortunately lost their lives and all the passengers on board.
 
PLEASE VIEW THESE WEBSITES BELOW TO CONFIRM
 
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/10/23/nigeria.plane/
 
Since then I have made several inquiry to locate any of my clients extended relatives,this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to do some research on the internet, to locate any member of his family. That is why I contacted you,and the reason why I contacted you is to assist me in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared serviceable by the bank where these huge deposits were lodged where my client deposited US$14 million dollars.

The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the Account confiscated within the next twenty official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over some years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$14 million dollars can be transferred to your account there in your country, then you and me can share the money while i invest my share in your country
 
I have all necessary legal documents that back up the claims we may make. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us to see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please indicate your readiness to assist me,so that all the information's about this funds will be passed to you immediately.You should send to me your full names and your private cell/mobile number preferably WHATSAPP for easy communications.And also assure me of your trust and remember that the trust in business is confidentiality.
 
So let it be only between me and you.If you give me your full cooperation and this transaction is properly executed,I am prepared to give you 45% of the total sum for your kind assistance. 45% will be for me and 10% percent will be for any expenses we may incur along in this transaction.Please get in touch with me by my WHATSAPP NO: +447452058145, to enable us to discuss further. Thank you very much for your understanding.
Best Regards,
 
Barrister Greg Nicholas.

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