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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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Fraud email example:

From: Mr.Favour Mark <favourmark@sapibon.com>
Reply-To: favour_mark@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2005 08:40:02 -0500
Subject: Investment Banking,Delengroup

Mr. Favour Mark
Paseo de la Castellana 211
28046 Madrid,Spain.

Attention:President/Ceo

Dear Sir/Madam,

I wish to solicit your assistance in the actualization of this business transaction that involves some fund in our custody .I am Mr. Favour Mark, Head Investment banking,Delen Group,a conglomerate that is into oil, banking,agriculture etc. As the head,Investment of this group,I will appreciate if you could assist us in the execution of this transaction.It is quite simple and will be of immense benefit to both parties.We discovered in our offshore service account the sum of US$18,000,000.00 Million Dollars during the close of our financial books for the year ended 2002 and this fund has been in this account for the past five(5) years.Upon investigation we discovered that the actual beneficiary is deceased with no beneficiary to the fund.
After series of discussions with the approriate authorities,It was agreed that the fund should be carefully kept in a non interest yeilding account with our bank under the condition that if a beneficiary comes up with any valid documents to lay claim to the fund that it should be released to him/her.It is now two(2) years since this incident occurred without any person coming forward with any claims.

I know you might be surprised, on how your contact was gotten but do see reason with me as in my quest to look for a reputable person who will assist,I had to embark on an extensive search of the web for a reputable partner. This is a risk free transaction and it will be most illogical to release this fund to the state as we are about closing our financial books for the year which implies that if no beneficiary comes forward then the bank will have to remit same to the state but if documents are perfected to reflect you as the beneficiary of this fund then the fund would be released to you.

Upon your acceptance,We shall offer you 25% of this fund once it has been released to you while the remaining will be shared by my colleagues and I, In view of their services that will be needed for authentication.I advise that you treat this correspondence with utmost confidentiality.

I will appreciate if you could send your contact details which shall include both telephone/fax numbers and mailing address to enable me give the neccessary instructions for the relevant documents to be perfected to reflect you as the bonafide beneficiary of the fund.Please treat this mail with utmost confidentiality in view of the person(s) involved and on no account should a third party have access to this mail.

Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Favour Mark
Investment Banking,Delengroup


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