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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: pauleze0@zipmail.com.br
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2006 09:47:23 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?FROM=20THE=20DESK=20OF?=

FROM THE DESK OF
MR.PAUL EZE
cemac Bank of africa plc.
(bank for International Settlement)
headquarters complex cotonou,
republic of benin.

DEAR FRIEND.


MY NAME IS MR.PAUL EZE
Iam the head of Operations cemac Bank of africa plc.
Sometime in 1986, a certain man Mr.kelly smith brought a luggage marked
family treasure to me for safe-keeping in our bank. I met the man in 1980
in America and he introduced himself as a SHIP CAPTAIN. We became intimate
more when he realized my profession,there and then, he informed me about
the consignment. However, I did not take it so serious not until he brought
the box to my office.I assisted him in depositing the treasure and CERTIFICATE
OF DEPOSIT issued to him.However,he saw me as someone trustworthy and decided
to hand-over the document to me for safe-keeping. He left back to his country,
though he is always on the Sea being a Sailor.

All our correspondence was through telephone.Our discussion stopped since
last year when I called his telephone number, and behold someone else had
bought over the telephone. the new subscriber told me that Mr. kelly smith
died along-side, his wife and only two children at the World Trade Centre
during the BIN-LADEN bomb blast, in America. This news shocked me so much
that MR. kelly smith did not leave any of his contact address or next of
kin,and since then all plans to trace any of his relatives proved abortive.
Honestly, I became confused, and resorted to informing my colleague in the
office, who suggested that we should open the box a little to know the content
proper.

The box was carefully opened and GUESS WHAT? BILLS OF ONE HUNDRED UNITED
STATE DOLLARS, denomination carefully defaced. I and my colleague agreed
and secretly took the box out from the bank and deposited it with a security
company here. We have concluded plans to invest the money total eight million
united staed dollars $8m(USD) out of cotonou republic of benin and required
an assistance from a Would-be Trustworthy Over-Seas Partner who will help
us receive the money overseas.

If you can assist us, we can arrange and bring the money to your country
by the help of Diplomats, for investment. I and my colleague has agreed
to give you 30% of the total sum. Be rest-assured that the transaction is
100% risk-free and your urgent response is highly needed.
So we cannot look for another person.
email(pauleze_2006@yahoo.fr)
Best regards,
MR.PAUL EZE




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