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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: "Dr. Tony O. Elumelu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tony.elumelu29@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2016 07:20:09 -0700
Subject: YOUR FUND!!

My Dear,
 
I am Dr. Tony O. Elumelu, the Executive Chairman, United Bank for Africa Plc. This is regards to your $7.5 million that have been with our bank which was not transferred into your bank account, and per the change of beneficiary application and international wire transfer request on my table signed by Mr. Robert Johnson from California, United States.
 
We would want to know if this request application to transfer $7.5 million to Robert Johnson's account was made with your consent?
 
Below are bank account details provided by Mr. Robert Johnson saying that you gave him the consent to have the $7.5 million transferred to his personal account details below;
 
1. Bank Name: SunTrust Bank
2. Account Name: Robert Johnson
3. Bank Address: 5211 Mercury Blvd. Newport News, VA 23606
4. Account #: 1000124907410
5. Routing #: 051000020
 
If you are okay, please get back to me so that I will tell you what to do.
 
Sincerely,
Dr. Tony O. Elumelu,
Executive Chairman, United Bank for Africa
UBA Plc

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