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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: "CHARLES UGO" <charles_ugo12@msn.com>
Reply-To: mr_charles_ugoo@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 08:25:06 +0000
Subject: I am now successful

Dear Friend,

Compliments of the season and God's blessings

I am glad to inform you that I have successfully concluded the transaction,
the money transferred to London. It is done through the assistant of your
country man Mr.Howard Ferraro who is a London base business man. Currently I
am in London with him and my wife and children.

However, I did not forget you because you are the source of my success, you
made me what I am now though you are not there to complet this project with
me but I gave all the credit and thanks to you. I know it is not your fault
or rather your wish to back up on me and the transaction ,I understand it is
simply because of what you must have heard about my country and her business
opportunities. Actually there are still good ones for example myself.

In appreciate of your assistance I have mapped out as a compensation and
wrote on your favor a Draft worth of US$1,500,000.00.(One Million,Five
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) I left the Draft with my
attorney Sir.John China Emelum on my departure to London. I would like you
therefore,to contact him on the below info so that he can mail it to you.

Attn: Sir. John China Emelum
Email: chinaemelum_associates1@mighty.co.za
Phone:234-806-234-7122

I would have love to call you from London where I currently reside but due
to the recent terrorist attack Mr.Ferraro advice me not to call because all
internatonal calls are been monitored by the UK authority. Contact my
attorney in Nigeria so that he can release your Draft to you. I will stop
here. Once again, thank you very much and remain blessed.

Regards,
Mr. Charles Ugo



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