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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: "micheal utomy" <michealutomy@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2005 10:36:41 +0000
Subject: HELLO

Hello Friend,

Please do not be offended on how this mail is reaching you, i got your email
via world on-line in e-mail data on my search for a reliable individual
who will assist me.

My name is Micheal Utomy,I am personal assistance to late Dr. Franklin Wood
who died on 12th March 2003 in an auto crash.He worked with Shell Inssurance
Company in Nigeria. My late boss deposited the sum of USD$10.5 million,in a
Bank and they have aproved me to look for the next of kin to my late boss,
but that will not be of benefit to me.So i contacted you to be presented as
the next of kin to my late boss so that the fund which was deposited by
him before his death will be transfered to your account.

As soon as you claim this money from the bank,i will give you 20% of the
money for assisting me in claiming it. I have contacted a lawyer who is
ready to procure the necessary documents which will necessitate all
procedures.So if you are willing to assist me

in this, kindly send to me the following information:
1 Your Full Name And Contact Address
2 Your Direct Phone Number and Fax
3 Your Full Banking Details

Note that as soon as you send these information to me, then i will give
you the contact address of the lawyer for you to contact him in regards
to this transaction.

I wait your response.

Yours sincerely,
Mr. Micheal Utomy



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