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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: "Dawodu Dan" <dawodudan1@msn.com>
Reply-To: dandawoduu@katamail.com
Date: Mon, 01 Aug 2005 17:46:06 +0000
Subject: Request

Good Day
I am Dan Dawodu, and I hope my business proposal will be pleasant
surprise to you, as we have had no prior business Relationship. I am from
Monrovia, Liberia in Africa. I am sixty-five years old and a Vice
President in a major bank in Monrovia where I stumbled on this remarkable
discovery I am about to share with you. On June 6, 1997, a Canadian Oil
consultant/contractor with the Liberian National Petroleum Corporation
(LNPC), Mr. Barry Kelly made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve
calendar months, valued at US$125,000,000.00 (One hundred and twenty-
five Million Dollars) in my bank. Upon maturity, I sent a routine
notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. Several periodic
reminders were sent but to no avail and finally we discovered from his
contract employers, the Liberian National Petroleum Corporation that Mr.
Barry Kelly died from an automobile accident. Further investigation
revealed that Late Barry Kelly declared no next of kin on his sworn
affidavits with the bank records. This sum of US$125,000,000.00 is still in
my
bank deposit accumulating interest yet unclaimed till date. According
to Laws of Liberia, the government could confiscate this money if
unclaimed for another two years. I am therefore, most humbly and discreetly
seeking a reliable, honest and trustworthy foreign associate and friend
to help take delivery and secure these funds on m
y behalf, with the intention of investing in a possible profitable
business in your country under your directive and supervision of my
Personal Assistant Mr. Dave Johnson. Rather than having it seized by the
authorities, and put towards their selfish, corrupt inhuman and oppressive
goals. My family and I wish and intend to relocate to your country
afterwards and so, I am requesting your help in buying two homes in which we
shall live in your country. The details of these and the manner these
resources shall be transferred from my bank to your bank account which
you shall provide, would be discussed during your meeting with my
personal assistant Mr. Dave Johnson or our follow-up dialogue prior to
commencing of the project. Please realize that I cannot divulge too much at
this stage as it could compromise my identity and my goal. I shall
settle all expense for this transaction. To this, I am offering you 15% of
the total funds for your help. Upon your reply, I shall make available
to you more details and relevant documents that will help you understand
the transaction. I strongly appeal you observe utmost confidentiality;
if you regrettably choose not to assist me, please do not reveal this
communiqué with anybody. Awaiting your urgent reply
Thanks and regards.
Dan Dawodu


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