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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "million us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Yomi Adewusi WEMA BANK" <yomiadewusi02@msn.com>
Reply-To: yomiadewusi@wemabanking.com
Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2006 20:32:32 +0000
Subject: Re: Action Required

Dear Sir/Madam,

Please permit me to contact you through this medium. I know that the
contents of this letter will come to you as a surprise and may likely cause
you to be apprehensive, especially as it is coming from a total
stranger.However, I hope you will give consideration to my proposition.
I am Mr. Yomi Adewusi,a senior accounts officer with Wema Bank Nigeria PLC.
I have an urgent andvery confidential business proposition for you.Some
years ago, Chief Mrs Stella Obasanjon, the late wife of the
President,Federal Republic of Nigeria, opened a Deposit Account with my
bank.

The account was over time corruptly funded by agents of the Government of
Nigeria. As at date, the account has a total balance of Twenty four million
US Dollars (US$24 Million) with a maturity date october,2005. On maturity of
her deposit,She instructed us to assist her move the money in cash overseas.

Her plea was heeded to through private arrangement but unfortunatey
coincided with her death in Spain. All necessary arrangement has been
concluded before her Sudden demise on 23rd oct 2005 after surgery in a
Spanish hospital. It was the responsibility of my office in time past to
facilitate such private cash transfers, before ongoing banks mergers and
acquisitions and new Government tight control on banking practice posed a
hindrance.Thus, in my private capacity, I arranged the transfer of her money
as my bank hands off the transaction because of the nature of her request to
move money in cash. I was privy to all arrangement and in control.

My proposition to you is that the money be re-routed in your name for
safe-keeping.On the recipt of the money you will be required to advise,
recommend and appoint investment programs to which money will be deployed.
This transaction is reasonably simple and without risk on your part. It will
certainly be of mutual benefit to both of us.If you are willing you can
reach me with this email address: yomiadewusi@wemabanking.com

I am Looking forward to your earliest reply.

Best regards,

Mr. Yomi Adewusi
Account Officer
Wema Bank PLC. Lagos, Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam