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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 Peter Kennedy <peterkennedyinfo4@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2023 09:38:06 -0700
Subject: I AM WAITING FOR YOUR REPLY

Hello Dear,

How are you Doing today? I know that this message
will come to you as a surprise as we have never seen or meet each
other before, but its only one good thing that brings people together.

My name is Barrister Peter Kennedy, a solicitor at law .A deceased client of
mine, A business man and also own a gold Mining Company/sales, who
bears the same Last name as yours, died along with his family many
years ago without a WILL or next of kin.

He had a fixed deposit valued at the sum huge of money left behind
before he met his end. I contacted you so that I can present you as my
late client next of kin, since he bears the same last name with you and
also from the same country so that the money can be transferred to
your account since the bank has asked me to present his next of kin
and we will share the funds equally,50/50% to both parties.

I have all the vital details/documents to back you up for the claim
with the bank
here in London, United Kingdom.

Waiting to hear from you.

Regards,
Barrister Peter Kennedy,Esq.

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